The Royal Life Guards () is a mechanized infantry regiment of the Royal Danish Army, founded in 1658 by King Frederik III. The primary task is to provide a number of soldiers from the Guard Company to serve as a guard/ceremonial unit to the Danish monarchy, while training the Royal Guards for various functions in the mobilisation force. Until its disbandment, the Royal Horse Guards (), served the role as the mounted guard/ceremonial unit, afterwards the role was taken over by Guard Hussar Regiment Mounted Squadron. During the time period 1684–1867, the Royal Life Guards were called The Royal Foot Guard (), in order to distinguish between the regiment and the Royal Horse Guards.

History

The Royal Life Guards were established by Frederik III of Denmark on 30 June 1658, the guards were both to protect Frederik and to be a combat troop regiment.

Role

The Royal Life Guards serve as a front-line unit and as a guard/ceremonial unit as well to the Danish monarchy. They were the major security force for the Danish Royal family at their personal estates. They would play a role in international peace keeping due to Denmark's involvement with NATO. The unit might be deployed internationally for peace keeping efforts.

Organisation

The regiment consists of two infantry battalions, the Guard Company and the Musical Corps:

  • 25px 1st Battalion – Founded 1658. Mechanized Infantry Battalion, part of 1st Brigade. Plus Ultra (Even further)
  • 25px Staff Company (STKMP/I/LG)
  • 25px 1st Armored Infantry Company (Army's Flank company ) (1/I/LG)
  • 25px 2nd Mechanized Infantry Company (2/I/LG)
  • 25px 4th Mechanized Infantry Company (4/I/LG)(inactive)
  • 25px 2nd Battalion – Founded 1867. Mechanized Infantry Battalion, Vincere Volumus (We'll be victorious)
  • 25px Staff Company (STKMP/II/LG)(inactive)
  • 25px 1st Mechanized Infantry Company (1/II/LG)
  • 25px 2nd Basic Training Company (2/II/LG)
  • 25px 3rd Basic Training Company (3/II/LG)
  • 25px Royal Guard Company () - Founded 1659. Ceremonial/guard unit.
  • 25px Royal Life Guard Music Band () - Founded 1658. Musical unit.

;Disbanded units

  • 25px 3rd Battalion – Founded 1923, Disbanded 2018. Infantry (basic training) Battalion. (Mechanized Infantry Battalion 2000-2004)
  • 25px 4th Battalion – Founded 1961, Disbanded 2005. Infantry Battalion.
  • 25px 5th Battalion – Founded 2001, Disbanded 2005. Infantry Battalion. (Merged in from 3rd Btn/Danish Life Regiment, only as reserve)
  • 25px 6th Battalion – Founded 2001, Disbanded 2005. Infantry Battalion. (Merged in from 4th Btn/Danish Life Regiment, only as reserve)
  • 25px 7th Battalion – Founded 2001, Disbanded 2005. Infantry Battalion. (Merged in from 4th Btn/Zealand Life Regiment, only as reserve)

Names of the regiment

{| class="toccolours"

|+ style="font-size: larger; margin-left: 1em;"|Names

|- style="vertical-align: top;"

| ||His Royal Majesty's Life Regiment ||width="12%"| 1658 ||width="1%"|–||width="12%"| 1684

|- style="vertical-align: top;"

| ||Our Guard on Foot ||width="12%"| 1684 ||width="1%"|–||width="12%"| 1763

|- style="vertical-align: top;"

| ||Royal Life Guard on Foot ||width="12%"| 1763 ||width="1%"|–||width="12%"| 1867

|- style="vertical-align: top;"

| ||Life Guard ||width="12%"| 1867 ||width="1%"|–||width="12%"| 1961

|- style="vertical-align: top;"

| ||Royal Life Guard ||width="12%"| 1961 ||width="1%"|–||width="12%"| present

|}

Alliances

  • – The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (Queen's and Royal Hampshires) – Bond of Friendship
  • – Bundeswehr

<gallery class="center" widths="170px" heights="140px">

Soldaat poseert voor een muur, Bestanddeelnr 252-8722.jpg|Life Guard in old combat uniform

Royal Life Guard at CEANCO 2013.jpg|Life Guard in combat uniform (m/01)<br>staff company/1st battalion.

Combined Resolve III 141103-A-SG416-011.jpg|Soldier of 1st Company, 2nd Battalion during Combined Resolve III, Germany, 2014.

</gallery>

See also

  • Guard Hussar Regiment (Denmark)
  • Guard Hussar Regiment Mounted Squadron
  • Royal Horse Guards (Denmark)

References

Further reading

  • Official Site
  • Den Kongelige Livgardes Musikkorps