The Cotillion Coach () is a miniature coach constructed in 1888 for the celebration of the 70th birthday of Christian IX of Denmark. It was later refurbished for the celebrations of the 18th birthday of Margrethe II and once again used at the 70th birthday of Queen Ingrid. It is on display in the Royal Stables and Carriage Museum at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen.
Description
Built in the Rococo-style, this small ceremonial coach was constructed in an earlier style for royal coaches. The exterior is gilded and ornamented, with golden crowns mounted on the roof. There are several painted panels on the sides and rear that depict several palaces of the period, including Gottorf Castle, the Yellow Palace, Bernstorff Palace, the Amalienborg residence, and Fredensborg Palace. The coachman's seat is covered with a hammercloth of red velvet embroidered with the years 1818 and 1888, and the doors bear the gilded monogram of Christian IX. The interior is lined with blue brocade and fitted with pale yellow silk-crepe curtains.
This miniature coach is not drawn by horses, but by people. During its original use, the carriage was accompanied by costumed attendants including a coachman and two footmen, and was drawn by six children. The coach holds one seated occupant, originally the child portraying the "Elf Queen".
History
The 70th birthday of Christian IX was celebrated with a ball attended by 700 guests at Amalienborg Palace. The entertainment after dinner comprised a cotillion in the Great Hall of Christian VII's mansion. As a surprise, it opened with a procession consisting of the specially manufactured miniature coach escorted by children dressed as elves, runners and lackeys. Inside the coach was a girl dressed as an "ambassadress from a distant country". Lord chamberlain Carl Løvenskiold, who had been responsible for the planning of the ball, had also fostered the idea of the tableau and arranged for the construction of the carriage.
The day after the ball, the newspaper provided a detailed account of the event:
Modern use
In 1958, prior to the festivities in connection with the 18th birthday of Princess Margrethe on 15 April 1958, Frederik IX and Queen Ingrid had the cotillion coach refurbished. At the birthday party, it was drawn into the Knight's Hall of Frederick VIII's mansion with Princess Anne Marie sitting inside it with a wealth of cotillion coach bouquets.
In 1980, for the 70th birthday of Queen Ingrid on 28 March 1980, it was decorated with flowers by florist Erik Bering. It was his first official assignment for the royal family. The idea was fostered by Princess Benedikte and the coach was drawn into the at Fredensborg Palace during the dinner.
In 1989, at the celebration of the silver anniversary of Constantin and Anne Marie in a tent in the garden of Fredensborg Palace, their two youngest grandchildren, Princess Theodora and Prince Philippos, were given a ride in the coach which was decorated with flowers and drawn by coachmen Jens Christiansen and Erik Kofoed.
1906 Tivoli Gardens replica
In 1906, Tivoli Gardens created a replica of the Cotillion Coach for the Tivoli Guards. It was constructed at on Frederiksberg. In 1965, it accompanied the Tivoli Guards on a visit to New York City in connection with the 1964–65 World's Fair. It was decommissioned in 2012.
See also List of state coaches Golden Coupé (Denmark)
References