The Royal Life Guards (Danish: Den Kongelige Livgarde) is a mechanized infantry regiment of the 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.[1] Until its disbandment, the Royal Horse Guards (Danish: Livgarden til Hest), 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 (Danish: Den Kongelige Livgarde til Fods), in order to distinguish between the regiment and the Royal Horse Guards.[2]
The Royal Life Guards were established by Frederik III of Denmark on June 30, 1658, the guards were both to protect Frederik and to be a combat troop regiment.
The life guards still carry out these 2 tasks to this day
The Royal Life Guards serve as a front-line unit and as a guard/ceremonial unit as well to the Danish monarchy.
They are an elite unit of the regular armed forces, so they maintain special privileges.
The regiment consists of two infantry battalions, the Guard Company and the Musical Corps:
1st Battalion – Founded 1658. Mechanized Infantry Battalion, part of 1st Brigade. Plus Ultra (Even further)
Staff Company (STKMP/I/LG)
1st Armored Infantry Company (Army's Flank company ) (1/I/LG)
2nd Mechanized Infantry Company (2/I/LG)
4th Mechanized Infantry Company (4/I/LG)(inactive)
2nd Battalion – Founded 1867. Mechanized Infantry Battalion, Vincere Volumus (We'll be victorious) Staff Company (STKMP/II/LG)(inactive)
1st Mechanized Infantry Company (1/II/LG)
2nd Basic Training Company (2/II/LG)
3rd Basic Training Company (3/II/LG)
Royal Guard Company (Vagtkompagniet) - Founded 1659. Ceremonial/guard unit.
Royal Life Guard Music Band (Den Kongelige Livgardes Musikkkorps) - Founded 1658. Musical unit.
3rd Battalion – Founded 1923, Disbanded 2018. Infantry (basic training) Battalion. (Mechanized Infantry Battalion 2000-2004)
4th Battalion – Founded 1961, Disbanded 2005. Infantry Battalion.
5th Battalion – Founded 2001, Disbanded 2005. Infantry Battalion. (Merged in from 3rd Btn/Danish Life Regiment, only as reserve)
6th Battalion – Founded 2001, Disbanded 2005. Infantry Battalion. (Merged in from 4th Btn/Danish Life Regiment, only as reserve)
7th Battalion – Founded 2001, Disbanded 2005. Infantry Battalion. (Merged in from 4th Btn/Zealand Life Regiment, only as reserve)
United Kingdom – The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (Queen's and Royal Hampshires) – Bond of Friendship
Germany – Bundeswehr
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