Once again a unique event not to miss – the ambassador reception at Fredensborg Castle

The official reception of a foreign country’s highest representative is a very formal event and an ancient tradition. On 6 May it takes place at the Queen’s residence at Fredensborg Castle.

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Pictures and text by Bente D. Knudsen

In Denmark it is maintained in the best form possible, while taking into account the cost of moving around horses and soldiers from the Royal Mounted Gard Hussar Regiment.

It is an event not to be missed while you reside in Denmark.

It takes place a couple of times a year, depending on the amount of diplomatic changes, and entails the transport of a new ambassador by one of the Royal Stable’s horse-drawn carriages, escorted by members of the Royal Mounted Gard Hussar Regiment.

The ambassador is taken to meet the Queen at the castle where she has residence on the day itself.

The next one will take place on Friday the  6 May at Fredensborg Castle.

Due to the cost, and practicality of transporting horses and carriages from Slagelse, where the horses and soldiers have their home,  to Copenhagen, the Queen bundles her reception and usually receives several at a time.

The Queen has her residence at Fredensborg Castle from April until October, which is why she will receive them there and not in town.

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They will start at around 09.40 from Fredensborg Station and ride up the alley to Fredensborg Slot.

It is a beautiful place, and there are plenty of opportunities to get a good sight of the magnificent parade of horses, traditional uniforms and the horse carriage along the route and in front of the castle.

Being out of town means it will be less crowded, although good weather will attract more people to it.

In total of five new ambassadors will be received at this occasion.

At 10:00 from Spain, 10:30 from Vietnam, at 11:00 from Poland, at 11:30 from Zimbabwe and at 12:00 from San Marina.

Normally, the public is able to get quite close to the event and route.

The ambassadors are picked up by their cars at the end of the meeting with the Queen, which takes about 30 minutes for each of them.

For this event the full regiment (up to 45 horses) do not participate. However, a total of at least 20 horses and hussars from the mounted regiment and a carriage from the Royal Stables participate.

You can watch it from anywhere along the route. The sight is quite spectacular as they come riding up to the castle.