Unique chance to visit Crown Prince palace

Followers of royalty visiting Copenhagen over the next month are urged not to miss out on the unique opportunity to see inside the walls of Frederik VIII’s Palace, the coming home of Crown Prince Frederik, Crown Princess Mary and their family.

Crown Prince Frederik has been residing at Fredensborg Palace some 23 miles north of the Danish capital since marrying Australian-born Mary in 2004, while an extensive, six-year renovation of Frederik VIII’s Palace in Amalienborg could take place. The palace is now ready for the couple and their two young children to move into – but not before offering the public a one-time offer to come inside and see their new home.

Previously the residence of Queen Dowager Ingrid, mother to the current Queen Margrethe until her death in 2000, Frederik VIII’s Palace is one of four Rococo palaces in the Amalienborg complex and is also known as Brockdorff’s Palace. It was originally built for Baron Joachim Brockdorff between 1750 and 1760, and was first used by the military as an academy. When royalty took over the building in the next century, the palace was rebuilt in the Empire style.

Normally only two of the palaces, Christian VII’s Palace and Christian VIII’s palace, are open to the public. The remaining palace, Christian IX’s Palace, is the home of Queen Margrethe and Prince Consort Henrik. After May 30th, Frederik VIII’s Palace will be permanently closed to the public.

During the opening it’s possible to visit the first two floors of the palace, which in future will be used for official functions. The palace is currently unfurnished, but there’s still plenty to see, including the works of art that decorate some of the rooms, all commissions by a number of promising young Danish artists. These include an imaginative mural by the fanciful painter Kathrine Ærtebjerg (see pic), and show clearly the Crown Prince Couple’s support and interest in contemporary Danish art.

Frederik VIII’s Palace is open from 10am to 5pm Tuesdays to Sundays, and as late as 9pm on Wednesdays until May 30th, with tickets available at the entrance for DKK 40. For more information, visit www.ses.dk/amalienborg

Pictures of the Frederik VIII’s Palace by Robert Fortuna.

See also Royal Copenhagen: 7 Amazing Castles Worth Your Visit