Danish royal guard bans high-gloss boot polish ahead of king’s birthday parade

The Danish Royal Life Guards have temporarily banned the use of a traditional high-gloss boot polish ahead of Tuesday’s parade marking King Frederik X’s birthday, after new workplace safety rules flagged potential health risks from its fumes, DR reports.

The prohibition applies to Kiwi shoe polish—a staple for generations of guards—after updated safety guidelines now require respiratory masks, not just gloves and ventilation, when handling the product. The ban follows concerns that extraction systems in polishing rooms at the Høvelte Barracks may have been defective, exposing soldiers to harmful vapors.

Claus Løgstrup, a representative for the Central Association for Conscripts (CS), confirmed the restrictions, noting that inspections revealed malfunctioning ventilation units, including systems flashing red fault alerts. “It’s clearly unacceptable if soldiers have worked in spaces with inadequate airflow while using materials that demand proper extraction,” he said.

The ban has forced the regiment to lower its usual strict standards for boot shine, with minor scuffs or dull patches now overlooked during pre-parade inspections. Traditionally, guards’ boots were polished to a mirror finish, with lore dictating that one should see a watch’s second hand tick in the reflection.

Despite the official prohibition, some guards have reportedly continued polishing with the banned product before shifts. Løgstrup cautioned that a resolution could take months, adding, “For now, prioritizing soldiers’ health over shiny boots is the right call.”

The Danish Defence Command has not yet responded to DR’s request for comment on the ventilation failures or updated health assessments of the polish.