Ambling across the cobblestone square in the crisp night air, I looked up at the queen’s residence, and immediately noticed that the lights were on inside the palace, and with the curtains drawn, we could see directly into Her Majesty’s home. It was beyond imagination, to see how a current queen lived! Exhaling, I pulled on Jeanine’s arm and pointed: the queen’s dining room, painted in a beautiful light royal blue, shone out to us. A long table or dining hutch in a dark-colored wood ran along one wall.

I dashed to the middle of the square and watched in fascination as various servants appeared to come in and out of the room, carrying dishes and silver trays. It seemed they were cleaning up from dinner, I presumed. I was only 100 feet (30 m) from this room, and subsequently, the queen. I couldn’t believe my stroke of luck — I was watching a scene from Danish royal life. I marveled as a woman came to slightly open the curtains in an adjacent room and close the dinning room curtains. I wondered: Was the queen settling in to watch some television or read in the family room? What was her favorite book?

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Suddenly the sound of car tires against the cobblestones reverberated in the square. Hastily turning my head to the opposite corner of the square, I saw a Mercedes Benz enter into the compound where Crown Prince Frederik lived. Another, equally lavish, car followed the first one into giant green doors that were opened by tall men in royal red uniforms that harkened back to the 1800s. The prince seemed to be having a party or get-together. I was elated! Maybe I would get to glimpse the prince himself. With bated breath, Jeanine and I completely forgot about the queen in her humble family room, and instead focused our attention on the glamorous Prince’s party.

We hung around the square, watching as every 15 minutes or so another car went through the fantastical green doors. They varied from super-luxurious Mercedes to beat-up Toyotas, but every time they got within 15 feet (4.5 m) of the building, those magical doors opened and Jeanine and I got to peak inside.

There was nothing too spectacular, though. It looked like the cobblestone drive continued farther. But it wasn’t the extravagance that I was interested in, I was just excited to see how royalty lived when not on their official duties. From here, they just looked like other people, only with many people to serve them.

A guard secures the perimeter of the castle.

An hour later, the cold started to settle into our bodies and we decided to head back to the bus station. Though I was reluctant to walk away, I marveled in the knowledge that even with all the careful planning, it was a spontaneous act that made this trip’s lasting impression.

If You Go

The Danish Monarchy
www.kongehuset.dk

Copenhagen Tourism
www.wonderfulcopenhagen.dk

Danish Tourist Board
www.visitdenmark.com

The Copenhagen Card can be purchased at tourist offices throughout Denmark, at the airport, major train stations, hotels and youth hostels. It allows free entry to more than 60 museums and attractions, free transport by train, bus and subway. There are even discounts on many attractions, and on car rental. You can choose between the 24-hour card for DKK$ 199 (US$ 33; children DKK$ 129 or US$ 21.50) and the 72-hour card for DKK$ 429 (US$ 71; children DKK$ 249 or US$ 41.50).