PHOTO FEATURE: There’s nothing quite like all the pomp and circumstance that surround Norway’s royal guards. They symbolically protect the monarch, standing on duty around the Royal Palace in Oslo, marching through the city on occasion and often winning awards at military tattoos around the world. Lately they’ve been on tour in the homeland, surrounded by scenery that can only be described as majestic.
They’re a combination of marching band, drill team and experts at throwing bladed rifles around while adhering to military precision. Popularly known as Garden, they’re also highly trained military guards, charged with protecting the life of the monarch and other royal family members. They’re also prepared for serious assignments in times of crisis. In troubled times like now, they can also be a reassuring source of pride and tradition.
Formally known as “His Majesty the King’s Guards,” the unit’s best-known 3rd company has been on tour this month in the Norwegian county of Møre og Romsdal. They’re shown here while holding a concert atop one of the many peaks around Åndalsnes, which has also become a popular cruiseship port with a gondola as a relatively new attraction.
The public turned out for the concert at the top of the gondola, in an area that also offers stunning views of the southeastern arm of the Romsdalsfjord. The royal guards are based in Oslo, but often travel both within and outside Norway. May and June are high season, with national holidays, annual public events and royal family members often on tour themselves before the summer holidays in July.
“Garden” and its leaders bring precision and music to cities and towns around the country. Those remaining in Oslo are part of the Norwegian capital’s defense, and can be called upon to support local police in crisis situations such as natural catastrophes, major accidents or terrorist attacks, like the one that hit Oslo in 2011. There are around 160 military staff members permanently assigned to the unit, while around 1,200 young men and women are selected for at least one or two years of service to fulfill their military obligation.
ALL PHOTOS: Marte Brekne Kvilhaug / Forsvaret
TEXT: NewsinEnglish.no/Nina Berglund
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.newsinenglish.no ’
