24 FEBRUARY 2010After five years waiting for your new house to be ready, most people would be wanting to leap inside immediately.
But Denmark's Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary have decided to postpone their big move in order to allow the public to view their future royal residence for a limited time.
The newly renovated Frederik VIII Palace in the Amalienborg royal complex in Copenhagen, where Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik also reside, will be open to visitors from February 27 to May 30.
Those paying the modest €5 entrance fee will be able to admire the transformed ground and first floors of the 18th-century building, which will be used for official receptions.
Every detail of the £26 million refurbishment was decided in conjunction with the prince and princess and includes the renovation of painted ceilings, canvas-clad walls and pine, marble and mosaic-covered floors.
Meanwhile, artworks by a host of contemporary Scandinavian artists add modern touches to the classic interiors.
The 1,660 square-metre gardens have also been remodelled by landscape gardener Jacob Fischery, who has added new plants, a 1,300 square-metre lawn and a 40-metre swimming pool.
Also known as the Brockdorff Palace, the building was the home of Frederik's grandparents, King Frederik IX and Queen Ingrid, but has remained empty since Ingrid died in 2000.
By moving into the palace, a former military academy, Frederik and Mary will be continuing the tradition of Denmark's heirs and regents living around Amalienborg's four royal residences.
