The transfer of the royal flags from the departing monarch’s residence to the new royal residence at Amalienborg is a solemn and symbolic indication of the succession of the throne. The flags are always placed in the reigning monarch’s palace, and, on the occasion of the succession of the throne on 14 January 2024, the royal flags were thus transferred from Christian IX’s Palace to Frederik VIII’s Palace at Amalienborg. The flag transfer began when the Commander of the Sentry Company and the flag bearers arrived at the Flag Room in Christian IX’s Palace. There, the Commander of the Sentry Company asked Queen Margrethe for permission to transfer the flags. The three flag bearers individually saluted the flags, and then each took their flag. The gala flag was taken first.

After the proclamation from the balcony of Christiansborg Palace, the flags were carried from HM Queen Margrethe’s residence, Christian IX’s Palace, to HM The King’s residence, Frederik VIII’s Palace, at Amalienborg. As a part of the ceremony involved in the succession of the throne, the symbols of service are handed over. This means that the Lord Chamberlain’s baton and the Master of Ceremonies’ baton are handed over by Queen Margrethe’s new Chief of Court and the Master of Ceremonies to the new Lord Chamberlain as a symbol that the functions are now transferred to the new Court. Precisely 52 years ago, on 14 January 1972, the flags were taken the opposite way, from Frederik VIII’s Palace, where Frederik IX and Queen Ingrid resided, to Christian IX’s Palace.

The flags were carried over Amalienborg Palace Square by a flag command, which consisted of the Commander of The Royal Life Guard’s Sentry Company, the Second-in-Command of the Sentry Company, three officers as flag bearers as well as six on-duty guards as sentries. The gala flag was carried in front. When the flag command had taken the flags over the palace square to the new royal residence, Frederik VIII’s Palace, the Commander of the Sentry Company saluted The King and requested permission to transfer the flags.