The King and Queen host the Army's Badge of Honour dinner

King Frederik X and Queen Mary hosted the Army's Badge of Honour dinner at Christian VII's Palace at Amalienborg in Copenhagen on Saturday evening. The dinner was held in the Knights' Hall.

The King and Queen before the dinner at Christian VII's Palace. Photo: The Danish Royal House

The dinner is a fixed tradition in the Danish royal house, and this year it was the Army's turn.

The King and Queen arrive at Amalienborg. Photo: The Danish Royal House

• A badge for 25 years of service

The Badge of Honour for Good Service in the Army is awarded to Army employees who have completed 25 years of service in the Danish armed forces.

The decoration was instituted on 26 September 1945, the birthday of King Christian X, and it is presented on that one day of the year only. The date has been a red-letter day in the Army ever since.

The Queen greets one of the guests before the dinner. Photo: The Danish Royal House

• Rotating between the services

The Badge of Honour dinner is held every year and rotates between the Army, the Navy, the Air Force and the Emergency Management Agency. Among this year's guests was the Chief of Defence, General Michael Hyldgaard, together with several of the armed forces' most senior commanders.

Queen Mary at the table in the Knights' Hall. Photo: The Danish Royal House

• A salute march for Christian X

During the meal, Christian X's salute march was played as a tribute to the King's great-grandfather. He would have turned 156 that same day.

The King and Queen on the square at Amalienborg. Photo: The Danish Royal House

• The Queen in the armed forces' formal uniform

Queen Mary wore the Danish armed forces' formal dress uniform for women, which she wore for the first time in January 2019. With it she wore order stars and a row of medals.

The Queen in the armed forces' formal dress uniform for women. Photo: The Danish Royal House