}
Her Danish Majesty's Yacht ''Dannebrog'' (A540) ( da, KDM Dannebrog) was launched by
Queen Alexandrine at
Copenhagen
Copenhagen ( or .; da, København ) is the capital and most populous city of Denmark, with a proper population of around 815.000 in the last quarter of 2022; and some 1.370,000 in the urban area; and the wider Copenhagen metropolitan ar ...
in 1931, and commissioned on 26 May 1932. The yacht now serves as the official and private residence for Queen
Margrethe II of Denmark
Margrethe II (; Margrethe Alexandrine Þórhildur Ingrid, born 16 April 1940) is Queen of Denmark. Having reigned as Denmark's monarch for over 50 years, she is Europe's longest-serving current head of state and the world's only incumbent femal ...
, and members of the
Royal Family when they are on official visits overseas and on summer cruises in Danish waters. When at sea, the
Royal Yacht also participates in surveillance and sea-rescue services.
Features
The ''Dannebrog'', named after the
flag of Denmark, was built in 1931–1932 at the Naval Dockyard in Copenhagen. She replaced the previous royal vessel, an 1879 paddle steamer,
also called ''Dannebrog''. The yacht has dual functions: she serves as the Royal Yacht in peacetime and can become a
hospital ship
A hospital ship is a ship designated for primary function as a floating medical treatment facility or hospital. Most are operated by the military forces (mostly navies) of various countries, as they are intended to be used in or near war zones. I ...
in emergency alerts or war.
The ship's
hull is of rivetted steel construction on transverse frames. The ship has a
clipper bow
The bow () is the forward part of the hull of a ship or boat, the point that is usually most forward when the vessel is underway. The aft end of the boat is the stern.
Prow may be used as a synonym for bow or it may mean the forward-most part of ...
and an
elliptical ('counter') stern. Viewed from the side, the ship may be divided into two sections. Forward of the funnel there is space for the crew, any cargo, and the engine. At the rear is the Royal Apartment, which could accommodate patients if ever the yacht were needed as a hospital ship. On visits to Danish and foreign ports the covered quarterdeck is used for receptions.
The Royal accommodation comprises studies for the Queen and The Prince Consort, a Dining Saloon, Lounge, Bedrooms, etc. They have taken a personal interest in fitting out the vessel and the choice of furnishings. The Royal Apartment contains furniture and fittings from
the previous 1879 Royal vessel.
The Royal Yacht ''Dannebrog ''is an independent command, administered by the Chief of the Queen's Naval Household, who is a member of the Royal Household. The crew of the ''Dannebrog ''comprises 9 officers, 7 sergeants, 2 enlisted able-seamen and 34 conscripts. The officers are normally seconded for periods of two to four years, whereas the conscripts stay for just one summer.
History
Since she was commissioned in 1932, the Dannebrog has travelled more than and visited most of the ports of
Denmark
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, song = ( en, "King Christian stood by the lofty mast")
, song_type = National and royal anthem
, image_map = EU-Denmark.svg
, map_caption =
, subdivision_type = Sovereign state
, subdivision_name = Kingdom of Denmark
, establish ...
,
Greenland
Greenland ( kl, Kalaallit Nunaat, ; da, Grønland, ) is an island country in North America that is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. It is located between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Greenland i ...
, and the
Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands ( ), or simply the Faroes ( fo, Føroyar ; da, Færøerne ), are a North Atlantic island group and an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark.
They are located north-northwest of Scotland, and about halfway bet ...
. The yacht has also visited European ports, especially in France and cruised the Mediterranean and the Caribbean Seas. Following
Operation Safari, in 1943, Dannebrog was the only ship left untouched by the Germans. On 7 July 1956, ''Dannebrog'' collided with the British sloop , breaking her bowsprit.
Jørgen Hviid
Jørgen Alfred Hviid ( lv, Jergens Alfreds Hvīds; 1 September 1916 – 5 September 2001) was a Danish and Latvian multi-sport athlete, and an officer in the Royal Danish Navy. He was primarily an ice hockey player, but also competed in speed sk ...
served as one of the ship's captains.
A major overhaul was carried out in 1980–81 to extend the life of the yacht into the 21st century. She is still in excellent condition, with major improvements having been made, including replacement of the main engines.
References
External links
The Royal Yacht DannebrogSpecifications and photos of Dannebrog - SYT
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dannebrog (A540)
Auxiliary ships of the Royal Danish Navy
Royal and presidential yachts
1932 ships
Individual yachts
Motor yachts
Naval ships of Denmark