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HISTORY
The Royal Yacht
Dannebrog
Her Danish Majesty's Yacht Dannebrog (A540) (Danish: KDM
Dannebrog) was launched by Queen Alexandrine at Copenhagen
in 1931, and commissioned on 26 May 1932. The yacht now
serves as the official and private residence for HM The
Queen of Denmark, HRH the Prince Consort, and members of the
Royal Family when they are on official visits overseas and
on summer cruises in Danish waters. When at sea, the Royal
Yacht also participates in surveillance and sea-rescue
services.
The Dannebrog, named after the flag of Denmark, was built in
1931–1932 at the Naval Dockyard in Copenhagen. She replaced
the previous royal vessel, an 1879 paddle steamer, also
called Dannebrog. The yacht has dual functions: it is
primarily the Royal Yacht during peacetime; it can become a
hospital ship during emergency alerts or war.
The ship’s hull is a riveted steel construction on
transverse frames. The ship has a clipper stem and an
elliptic stern. Viewed from the side, the ship may be
divided into two sections. In front of the funnel there is
space for the crew, any cargo, and the engine. At the rear
is the Royal Apartment. This could accommodate patients if
ever the yacht were used as a hospital. During visits to
Danish and foreign ports the covered quarterdeck is used for
receptions.
The Royal accommodation comprises studies for HM The Queen
and HRH The Prince Consort, a dining salon, a lounge, the
bedroom, etc. HM The Queen and HRH The Prince Consort have
taken a personal interest in fitting out the vessel and the
choice of furnishings. The Royal Apartment contains
furniture and fittings from the previous 1879 Royal vessel.
The Royal Yacht Dannebrog is an independent command,
administered by the Chief of HM The Queen’s Naval Household,
who is a member of the Royal Household. The crew of the
Dannebrog comprises 9 officers, 7 sergeants, and 36 enlisted
able-seamen - all have been hand-picked from the Navy. The
officers are normally seconded for periods of two to four
years, whereas the able-seamen stay for just one summer.
Since it was commissioned in 1932, the yacht has travelled
more than 300,000 nautical miles (600,000 km) and visited
most of the ports of Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe
Islands. The yacht has also visited European ports,
especially in France and cruised the Mediterranean and the
Caribbean Seas.
A major overhaul was carried out in 1980/81 to extend the
life of the yacht beyond the turn of the century. Having now
passed that point, the 75-year-old yacht is still in
excellent condition, with major improvements including
replacement of the yacht's main engines
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