What are the Danish New Year 'levees' that bring out the royal family in all their finery?
01/03/2025 03:26 AM
King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark have just hosted the first New Year's banquet of their reign. As January gets under way, they will be hosting multiple New Year's levees. But while we’re glad to start the New Year with some sparkle, what are these events and why are they held?
Levee or banquet: there’s a royal explanation
The New Year's levees are daytime events, unlike the banquet that is held on the evening of 1 January and all of them have their roots in history.
(DRTV Screenshot / Fair Use)
The Danish monarch invites different groups to Amalienborg Palace to thank them for their service and welcome the New Year. The levee used to be one longer event, on the 1st, but following the First World War, the choice was made to spread out the event over multiple days.
(DRTV Screenshot / Fair Use)
King Frederik and Queen Mary will host representatives and serving members of the armed forces, as well as members of the diplomatic corps and the judicial system at the levees. The Officer Corps of both The Royal Life Guard and The Guard Hussar Regiment are also invited to the palace.
No more tiaras – for now
While it is a formal day event, tiaras and major jewels are not typically worn at the levees as they are at the banquet.
(Kongehuset)
During her 52 year reign, Queen Margrethe would wear the same court dress each year. She wore her first court dress for 25 years, and her second also for another 25 years. It is unknown if Denmark’s new consort, Queen Mary, will continue this tradition.
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