A 28 minute video from BB of the arrival at the airport:
SE VIDEO: Kærligt, kongeligt gensyn i Københavns Lufthavn | BILLED-BLADET
I'll return later to comment on this video, so please don't merge it with my previous post as editing is ongoing.
(Editing is now complete).
-------
Lets get to work.
Trine Larsen, who is seen with the microphone, tells us that the Belgian Foreign Minister is not in the delegation, he has become ill.
At around 06:30 QMII arrives, accompanied by the chief of her staff of adjutants. He is also a chamberlain, which you can tell from the key on the light blue piece of cloth near his right rear pocket.
As always she will inspect (and formally take charge) of the honor guard. Notice how she
always nod the colour that is being lowered as a salute, while the Colour March is heard.
There are 110 guardsmen present turned out in the finest, red gala one, so it's actually quite a walk.
After having inspected the detachment, QMII turns to their commanding officer, carry on, after which he again takes command of the detachment, albeit under the overall command of QMII via her adjutant while she's present.
The terminal is the same used for most if not all foreign state visits. For practical reasons as you can imagine. In order not to disrupt the ongoings of a busy airport.
But just as much for security and because there are facilities to accommodate the royals and their guests while waiting.
And just as importantly, having 110 man standing around for almost an hour, is less disruptive if it happens at one of the more remote gates. Not to mention that roaring jet-engines have a tendency to spoil the music...
Yeah, yaeh, I know, this is pretty obvious to old hands, but perhaps newbies are reading over our shoulders.
Actually the terminal is the very first terminal at Copenhagen Airport. Build in 1939. It was initially located some 3-4 Km away, at where the main terminals are located today. And in a one-night-move in 1999 the whole terminal was moved to its present location, before being restored to how it looked originally.
As you can tell we in DK opt for the simple solution. The red carpet is rolled out from where the plane stands, not other way around... Makes life easier on cold, windy and rainy days. It also makes it easier when the stairs are being driven to the wrong door... - By some minor mistake the stairs were driven to the emergency exist and while the Belgian RC would like to get on the ground to meet the DRF, they may not be in
that of a hurry...
When Belgium One is safe on the ground and the carpet rolled to the right exit, the Belgian ambassador boards the plane. Partly to greet his head of state, but also because until this moment the Belgian ambassador was the direct representative of the Belgian head of state in Denmark, outranking even government ministers in the eyes of the royal protocol. Presumably he also tells the Belgian RC that the natives are hostiles and its safe to venture out - you never know...
The ambassador is escorted by the Master of Ceremonies, Kim Christensen. Partly as a cutesy towards the ambassador but also to inform the guest of whatever strange welcoming rituals the natives have in store for them...
In the meantime the DRF line up in order of rank. Notice the greetings they are especially heartfelt, as the shake hands an kiss first -
then bow or curtsy.
After listening to the Belgian anthem, it's time for the Belgian King to inspect the honor guard. Which is the polite thing to do, they are after all standing there in his honor. - And previously it was also a statement: "See how fine my soldiers are, it would be a good idea for Belgium and Denmark to remain on friendly terms, right?!?"
I see King Phillipe's adjutant is from the air force. Notice how the two Monarchs nod to the colour.
The Music Corps of the Royal Lifeguard Regiment, are professional civilian musicians employed by the Ministry of Defense, but the drummers and fifers are conscripts.
The Royal Lifeguard is a heavy infantry regiment of the line (today a mechanized regiment) and as such drummers were the signalmen, with the fifers being back-ups. In a light infantry regiment, the signalmen would be hornists (not buglars like in say the US military). The Guards Hussars use trompeters as signalmen.