23-4-2004
Years of disuse and disrepair have left their mark on Amalienborg's Frederik VIII--the Government must now go cap in hand to Parliament, to request millions in funding to renovate Crown Prince Frederik's official residence
The doorframes and foot panels are dilapidated, the central heating is worn out, and the walls could use a fresh coat of paint. Crown Prince Frederik and Mary's future residence at Amalienborg, Frederik VIII's Palace, is in dire need of renovation. Next week, the Government will request DKK 120 million (16 million euros) from Parliament's Finance Committee to finance an extensive restoration project.
Finance Minister Thor Pedersen refused to disclose an exact monetary sum, but told Ritzau news bureau that a "significant amount" would be necessary for the renovation. Pedersen recently examined the palace, together with representatives from the Palaces and Properties Agency, which will supervise refurbishments on the 4700-square-meter manse.
Preserving the cultural heritage
"A majority of Danes agree that Amalienborg and the nation's other palaces are worth preserving, and we'll just have to pay whatever it costs. We must choose between maintaining our cultural heritage, or tearing it down--there are no alternatives," said Pedersen.
With support from the Danish People's Party, the Government is already assured a majority behind the proposal in Parliament.
"But it pains me that we haven't been better at maintaining our royal palaces over the years. In the future, we must work to ensure regular maintenance, so the costs don't come in huge chunks," said Pedersen.
Frederik VIII's Palace, the only palace in the Amalienborg complex with a clock on the façade, was the official residence of King Frederik IX and Queen Ingrid, parents of the reigning Queen. But only a few minor repairs have been made to the palace since Frederik and Ingrid took residence in 1936. Queen Ingrid spent many of her later years at Fredensborg's Chancellery House, and she occupied just a small area of the palace when at Amalienborg. The Queen's younger sisters, Princess Benedikte and Ex-Queen Anne Marie each keep small apartments at the palace. The remaining space has been left cold and empty for years, and the sense of desertion has left its mark. Changing the pipes and radiators will prove a particularly costly part of the palace refurbishment, and new kitchens and bathrooms will have to be installed. Electronic security at the palace is also hopelessly outdated.
The Palace and Properties Agency estimates that the project will take three to four years to carry out, before the palace is inhabitable enough for Frederik and Mary. Efforts are already underway to paint the palace windows, and several rear and side buildings will have to be reinforced.
Staying at Chancellery House
For the duration of the restoration project, Crown Prince Frederik and Mary and will reside at Chancellery House at Fredensborg. The pair will keep a small apartment at Christian VII's Palace at Amalienborg, which is otherwise used only for representative purposes. That palace was restored in the 1990's for DKK 140 million (19 million euros), much of which was underwritten by private sponsors.
Chancellery House, which Crown Prince Frederik inherited upon the death of his grandmother Queen Ingrid in 2000, has undergone extensive refurbishment, as well. The roof has been replaced, the windows newly painted, and the façade buffed and polished. All exterior renovation was financed by the Palace and Properties Agency, while the Crown Prince's Office assumed all costs for interior renovation, as well as an expansion of the palace swimming pool.
In addition to his properties at Amalienborg and Chancellery House, the Crown Prince keeps an apartment at Marselisborg Palace in Århus, and he regularly makes use of the family's hunting lodge in Trend, as well as Chateau de Caix in France. Marselisborg, Trend, and Chateau de Caix are all private royal residences. Amalienborg, Fredensborg, portions of Christiansborg Palace, Graasten Palace, Eremitagen, and Sorgenfri are placed under the stewardship of the Queen, who may use them as she chooses.
Link: Copenhagen Post