Copenhagen Amelianborg Square. The Queen is Out. The Guards Remain.

As we stood in Amalienborg Square, surrounded by the four palaces of the current Danish royal family, a kindly elderly Dane informed us Queen Margrethe was out of town, visiting Greenland. How did he know? The royal Swedish flag only flies above the palace when its occupants are in residence. Only one flag was out today, and that royal member wasn't receiving guests.

Nonetheless, a good sized crowd had assembled. It was time for the changing of the guards. This complicated ritual occurs promptly at noon every day, as traditionally clad soldiers, with swords strapped on, and wearing foot long fur hats, march around the square. They've come from Rosenborg castle, the other royal grounds up the street.