The Royal Household of Denmark (Danish: Det Kongelige Danske Hof) (also called the Royal Court of Denmark, and colloquially known as "The Court" (Danish: Hoffet)) is the establishment and the collective departments which supports the monarch and members of the Danish royal family. The Royal Household supports and assists members of the royal family in the planning and in the exercise of their royal duties and prerogatives.[1]
The incumbent monarch, Frederik X, is head of the Royal Household.[2]
The members of the royal family each have their own small administration, called a Court State. The largest is King Frederik's Court State. The administrative part of the Royal Household is situated in The Yellow Palace on Amaliegade.[3]
Court States
The Royal Household currently employs approximately 130 people and is divided by function into a number of administrative departments called court states (Danish: Hofstat).[4]
This role traditionally fell to the Lord Chamberlain of Denmark, but this title is no longer used, and all the roles associated with the title has allocated to the Court Marshal.
The Court Marshal's office
The Court Marshal's office is the secretariat for The King. The office is in charge of all the arrangements for official functions, such as state visits at home and abroad, dinners and luncheons, and court ceremonies, including presentation of credentials by ambassadors as well as their farewell audiences.
The Master of Ceremonies
The Master of Ceremonies is responsible for the ceremonial events, e.g. the organization of state visits and official parties.
The Office of Treasury
The Treasurer of the Royal Household is responsible for the Office of the Treasury, which handles the overall budgeting, accounts for the Civil List and administration of the royal foundations. The Treasurer is also responsible for all the Monarch's palaces and properties, IT, security and the Royal Warrants.
The Master of the Household's Department
The Master of the Household's Department is responsible for a wide range of functions, including valet service, food and drink service at functions, travel and luggage arrangements, driving, management of wine cellars, cooking and housekeeping. Coordinated by the Master of the Household, the department is divided into branches managed by two Chasseurs, the Chef de Cuisine and the Matron of the Household.
Craft Section
The Master Craftsman is responsible for the functions of the Household Workshop. Its personnel include cabinet makers, a painter, a decorator and a dressmaker. The Household Workshop is also at the disposal of external craftsmen hired to perform specific conservation and preservation services.
The Royal Mews
The Royal Mews oversees ceremonial coaches, vehicles and horses. The horses are used for pulling coaches and for the Royal Family's pleasure and leisure riding. The Royal Mews is in charge of all ceremonial driving.
The King's Reference Library
The King's (or Queen's) reference library was established at Christiansborg Castle by Frederik VI. in 1746 and has since become a permanent institution. The library is run by the King's Librarian of the Reference Library.
The aides-de-camp to the King (The King's Military Household)
The Royal Konfessionarius (equivalent to Chaplain-in-Ordinary) is the King's personal spiritual advisor and counsellor and the royal family's private priest.
Private Secretary's Office
The Private Secretary's Office is headed by the Private Secretary to the King. The Private Secretary's Office assists with His Majesty the King's role as head of state.
The Chapter of the Royal Danish Orders of Knighthood
The institution is colloquially called the Order Chapter (equivalent to the College of Arms). It was founded in connection with the reorganization of the Order of the Dannebrog in 1808. It is historically not part of the court states, as it stands directly under the monarch as the Chancellor of the Order.
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