HMKG

His Majesty the King's Guards (HMKG)

HMKG were raised as a company in 1856 when King Oscar I of Sweden and Norway expressed his wish to have a Norwegian guard to underline his position as monarch of both countries. Following the collapse of the union in 1905, Norway emerged as an independent kingdom. With the arrival of Prince Charles of Denmark as King Haakon VII, the Guards acquired several new responsibilities and were subsequently increased to battalion strength.

In 1940, during the campaign in Norway, a Guards company fought at Midtskogen near Elverum, narrowly preventing a company of German paratroopers from capturing the royal family and members of the cabinet. Later in the campaign, the Guards fought with distinction at Lundehøgda near Lillehammer, winning a battle honour.

Today it's organised as a four-company infantry battalion, with three rifle companies mounting guard and a headquarter company securing the smooth functioning of the battalion. The regiment's duties are guard and ceremonial functions in peace as well as the responsibility for the security of the royal family in crisis or war.

HMKG guard the Royal Palace, the Royal Residence at Skaugum, Akershus Fortress (where the Royal Mausoleum is) and of course it's barracks at Camp Huseby.

The emblem: The emblem depicts the monogram of the King flanked by two swords, which means that it is a Army unit. HMKG got it's first patch in February 1961, with the monogram of King Olav V. The patch was made of woven silk and cotton until 1983, but from 1983 it was made of embroidered cotton.

When King Olav V died in 1991, our Crown- Prince became King Harald 5, and HMKG's emblem (and patch) changed. The patch is still made of embroidered cotton.

The patch is worn on left arm.


OLD STYLE (1983-1991) (version 1)	OLD STYLE (1983-1991) (version 2)	CURRENT STYLE (1991 -)