There are few traditions in the Danish royal family that are as strong as the Hubertus-hunt It has been part of the Danish monarchy since 1730. And on November 7th 2021, Crown Princess Mary attended this year’s Hubertus Hunt at the Hermitage Castle in Copenhagen, which has been the Royal Palace’s hunting castle since the 1730s.
When autumn has taken hold of Copenhagen Zoo, and the calendar says the first Sunday in November, it has become a tradition that the Hermitage Castle forms the centre of the Hubertus hunt. With a few exceptions, the hunt has been held every year since 1900, and the Hubertus hunt is a continuation of the old royal hunts, for which the Copenhagen zoo was originally built. In the old days, the star-shaped path system allowed dogs to hunt foxes. Today, the fox has been replaced by fox tails on two experienced riders who ride at the front of the 11 km long race with 32 obstacles along the way.
In connection with the hunt, the Crown Princess awarded “Crown Princess Mary’s Honorary Award” to the winner of the Hubertus Hunt’s run. Thus, Her Royal Highness continues the tradition of Prince Henrik and Queen Ingrid by awarding the prize of the hunt in her name.
In the middle of Copenhagen Zoo on the highest point of the Hermitage Plain is the Hermitage Castle, which King Christian VI had built in 1734. The purpose was then that the King had a hunting castle where he could stay during his hunts and invite guests to a table overlooking the surrounding area, even though they were far from the Royal Palace and court in Copenhagen. It was the builder Lauritz de Thurah who built the Hermitage Castle, and the characteristic castle was completed in 1736 and is still perceived today as one of the best late Baroque works in Denmark.
Crown Princess Mary was accompanied at the traditional event by her two youngest children, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.
