Do you know the historical traditions associated with the death of a monarch? You will find an introduction here.
The death of Frederik IX
On Friday, 14 January 1972, Frederik IX closed his eyes for the last time. The death of the 72-year-old king was not only a loss to his family and friends but also marked the beginning of a series of rituals that for centuries have been employed to mark the death of a monarch.
The announcement of The King’s death, the proclamation from the balcony at Christiansborg Palace, the private farewell, the official castrum doloris ceremony at Christiansborg Palace Chapel, the funeral procession through the streets of Copenhagen and the placing of the coffin inside Roskilde Cathedral. These are just some of the rituals that are performed in accordance with tradition, which is partly rooted in medieval customs associated with the succession of the throne.
Rituals and objects
Several historical artefacts from The Royal Danish Collection have historically played a role in the rituals mentioned above. This includes the Crown of the Absolute Monarchs, the silver lions and Christian V’s anointing robe from 1671. The Royal Danish Collection also includes objects related to the deaths of individual monarchs, such as black mourning bands and locks of hair.
Museum Director Thomas Thulstrup presents some of the objects that have historically been included in ceremonies in connection with the death of a monarch.
Most of the objects mentioned here are normally on display at Rosenborg Castle but are used in castrum doloris, when the deceased monarch’s coffin is placed on public view.
Christian V’s crown
Made in 1670–71, the crown was used in the anointing of Danish kings until 1840, when the last royal anointing took place. The crown was also used (both before and after 1840) in the funeral of a king, when it was placed either on the coffin lid or next to the coffin.
Since Christian IX’s funeral in 1906, when the ceremony became more public, the crown has consistently been placed on the coffin lid in accordance with European traditions.
The anointing robe
The anointing robe was made for the anointing of Christian V in 1671. It is made of red velvet decorated with some 1,300 embroidered gold crowns and lined with ermine. This is the only preserved anointing robe, as the robe was usually buried with the king. Since the funeral of Christian IX, the anointing robe has been laid out on top of the coffin, which is draped in the royal standard. This practice gave the robe a new role to play in the constitutional monarchy.
The Sceptre, the Orb and the Sword
These three artefacts are the additional royal insignia. Since the 17th century, they have been placed in front of the king’s coffin during castrum doloris. To this day, the Sceptre, the Orb and the Sword are symbols of royal power and part of a broader European tradition. Similar artefacts are used for ceremonial purposes in other royal houses, for example at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, in 2022.
The silver lions
Historically, the three silver lions have played a role in both anointing ceremonies and funerals. Originally, the silver lions guarded the throne, but they have also kept watch over the coffin in castrum doloris, including at the funeral of Frederik V, in 1766. During the 19th century, the silver lions were temporarily absent from castrum doloris, but from 1906, they once again became a regular part of the ceremony.
Silver gueridons
At a royal castrum doloris, silver gueridons carrying candelabra are placed at the corners of the rug, with the coffin in the middle. The silver gueridons date back to the time of Christian VI and were originally created for the audience chamber at the first Christiansborg Palace. When the palace burnt down, in 1794, the silver gueridons were moved to Rosenborg, where they are now on display in the Great Hall.
The Sceptre, Orb, Sword, silver lions and silver gueridons are not merely historical artefacts but ceremonial objects in a living tradition that connects past and present at Danish royal funerals.
