Feel like a princess in Royal Stockholm

Stockholm is caught up in a whirlwind of Royal wedding plans. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden is engaged to Daniel Westling, and preparations for the Royal wedding are in full swing. The couple will say “I do” on June 19, 2010 in Stockholm Cathedral (Storkyrkan) and their official residence will be Haga Palace in Hagaparken. For visitors wanting to experience the Royal spirit of Stockholm before the big event, the possibilities are nearly endless. Stockholm has several Royal settings with many interesting attractions and beautiful natural scenery. Why not go shopping at purveyors to His Majesty the King and see several magnificent castles, some of which also offer overnight lodging? We’ve collected several ideas for how to feel like a princess in Stockholm.


The Royal Palace in Gamla Stan
A walk through majestic halls, where kings and queens once lived and worked, evokes a grand and solemn feeling. With its 608 rooms, the Royal Palace in Gamla Stan is one of Europe’s biggest. Part of the Palace is built on the remains of the first one, Tre Kronor, which was almost completely destroyed in a fire in 1697. For a long time, the Royal family called the Palace home, but in 1981, they moved to Drottningholm, just south of Stockholm. Today the king and queen maintain their offices at the Palace, producing a unique situation: the Palace is open to the public while the Royal couple is working there.

Large areas of the Palace are open to the public; however, in addition to walking through splendid rooms and halls, visitors won’t want to miss some of the building’s museums. Livrustkammaren displays fascinating objects that belonged to previous sovereigns. The unique collection includes the fancy-dress costume that Gustav III wore the night he was murdered (1792) and Streiff, the horse (now stuffed, of course!) Gustav II Adolf rode into the Battle at Lützen (1632). In Skattkammaren (The Treasury), you can look at the monarchy’s most important symbols, the regalia that are still worn at Royal weddings, baptisms, and funerals. A model of the old Palace before it was ravaged by fire, along with objects saved from the flames, are on display at the Tre Kronor Museum. You can also visit Gustaf III’s Museum of Antiquities, The Royal Chapel and The Bernadotte Library.

Don’t miss the changing of the guard
One event you won’t want to miss when you’re in Stockholm is the changing of the guard, which takes place every day at noon. With pomp and circumstance, the participants ride horses or march through the city to the Palace. The main guard has been at Kungliga Slottet since 1523, and today, military units and bands from all over the country participate. From May through August, the changing of the guard generally takes place at 12:15 p.m. except on Sundays and holidays, when the ceremony begins at 1:15 p.m. If you would like to get a closer look at the king’s horses, magnificent coaches, and handsome uniforms, stroll over to Hovstallet on Väpnargatan, not far from the Palace. A guide will take you through the Royal Mews.

Royal attractions
Djurgården - It doesn’t take much time or planning to visit one of Stockholm’s Royal lands. These oases are surprisingly close to the center of the city. One particular island, Kungliga Djurgården, is a favourite haunt among Stockholmers and tourists alike, in part because of all the attractions and activities it offers, but also because of its natural surroundings, which give visitors some respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. You can get to Djurgården by boat or bus or on foot. Simply stroll down Strandvägen until you reach Djurgårdsbron. Among Djurgården’s most popular attractions are Skansen, Junibacken, Vasamuseet, and the amusement park, Gröna Lund. The painter prince Eugene’s Waldemarsudde is of course worth a visit, but also the Thielska Gallery, Rosendal Palace and the lovely Rosendals Trädgårdar (gardens) with its famous café.

Beautiful Hagaparken - Hagaparken, founded by Gustav III, at the end of the 18th century, greets the visitor with beautiful architecture and relaxing natural surroundings. Among its many interesting cultural-historical buildings are Kinesiska Pagoden (Chinese Pagoda), Haga slott (Palace), Koppartälten (Coppertent) and the Gustav III pavilion, all of which are all open during the summer months. The Fjärilshuset (Butterfly House) is open year round. Haga Slott (palace) will be the official residence of Crown Princess Victoria and her fiancé Daniel after their wedding in June 2010.

Ulriksdals Palace - Ulriksdals Palace, built in 1644, has been used by Royalty since the days of Karl XI. King Gustav VI Adolf and his family lived here during most of the 20th century. The apartments furnished by among others, Carl Malmsten, contain many exquisite antiques. Centrally located in the grounds by the Palace lies the greenhouse, nowadays used as the Orangery museum. The Palace theatre, known as Confidencen, built in 1753 is also well known.

Drottningholms Palace - Drottningholms Palace, now the Royal family’s permanent residence, is located near Stockholm. Magnificently situated on the water, the Drottningholm Palace is on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. It is the most well-preserved Royal Palace built in the 1600s in Sweden. The combination of the exotic Chinese Pavillion, the Palace theatre (Drottningholm Slottsteater) and the magnificent Palace gardens make the visit to Drottningholm a unique experience.


During the summer, boats travel to and from Drottningholm at regular intervals with departures from
the City Hall. Strömma Kanalbolaget has boat tours where they serve a three-course set menu and a
guided tour of the palace park is also given.

Royal Shopping ‐ By appointment to His Majesty the King of Sweden
Only the best will do for kings and queens and why should you be satisfied with anything less? Of Sweden’s 130 purveyors to the court, about sixty are located in Stockholm. In order to become a Royal purveyor, a business must have made regular deliveries of goods or services to the Royal household for an extended period of time.

A regal shopping trip might begin at Svenskt Tenn on Strandvägen, where interior design is the focus. On the same avenue, Gaudy makes and sells jewelry and ornaments that the Royal celebrities wear. If you take a short cut through Stockholm’s more fashionable neighborhoods on Östermalm, you will be rewarded with handmade chocolates from Ejes Chokladfabrik on Erik Dahlbergsgatan. The list of Royal purveyors is long: looking for a regal hat? Then visit Kittys Hattar. Something nice to wear?

Steens Herrmode, Leather products at Palmgrens, jewellery and silver at W.A Bolin or Atelier Borgila, antiquities at Bukowski Auktioner, glassware at Orrefors and Kosta Boda etc .

“I slept at a Palace…”
A number of Palaces and manor houses located in the Stockholm area come to life during guided tours. Even more exciting, some of these Palaces offer overnight accommodations. Why not complete your Stockholm experience with a night in one of these grand old abodes?

You can spend a night at both Södertuna Slott and Sundbyholms Slott. Throughout the centuries, regents and distinguished landowners have visited these Palaces, which are splendidly situated near the water. Södertuna Slott, constructed in the 18th century, is located 70 km [43 miles] south of Stockholm. Sundbyholms Slott is west of Stockholm and can be reached by car in about one and a half hours. While both Palaces still retain much of their former glory, they have been brought into the 21st century with the addition of some modern conveniences.

In addition to Palaces, you can spend the night at any number of country estates. One of these, Krägga Herrgård is 50 km [31 miles] north of Stockholm. The home’s first owner, in the 14th century, was none other than Ulf Gudmarsson, Saint Birgitta’s son. Friiberghs Herrgård, another estate near Stockholm, dates to the 17th century.

Life at Palaces and country estates makes it easy to feel like a prince. Sports and recreational activities, excellent food, and wine tastings in splendid surroundings will combine to make your stay very special.


Facts and links
Royal environments mentioned in the article
Boats: Strömma Kanalbolaget (Sightseeing), www.strommakanalbolaget.se
Changing of the guards, www.hogvakten.mil.se
Confidencen, Ulriksdals Slottspark, Bergshamra, Solna, www.confidencen.se
Drottningholmsteatern, Drottningholm, Ekerö, www.dtm.se
Fjärilshuset (Butterflies), Hagaparken. www.fjarilshuset.se
Gröna Lund, L. Allmänna Gränd 9, Djurgården. www.gronalund.se
H.M Konungens Hovstall (Royal Mews), Väpnargatan 1, Östermalm. www.royalcourt.se
Junibacken, Galärvarvsv, Djurgården. www.junibacken.se
Koppartälten (Coppertents), Hagaparken. www.koppartalten.se
Rosendals Trädgård, Rosendalsterrassen 12, Djurgården. www.rosendalstradgard.se
Skansen, Djurgårdsslätten 49-51, Djurgården www.skansen.se
Thielska Galleriet, Sjötullsbacken 6-8, Djurgården. www.thielska-galleriet.se
Waldemarsudde, Prins Eugens v. 6, Djurgården. www.waldemarsudde.se
Vasamuseet, Galärvarvsv. 14, Djurgården. www.vasamuseum.se
Royal shopping - A complete list of shops appointed by the Royal family is available at
www.hovlev.com.

Palaces and Estates where you can stay (km from Stockholm)
Gripsholms Värdshus, Kyrkog. 1, Mariefred (65 km). www.gripsholms-vardshus.se
Görvälns Slott, Järfälla (25 km). www.gorvelnsslott.se
Häringe Slott, by road 73, Västerhaninge (35 km) www.haringeslott.se
Krusenberg herrgård, road nr 255, south of Uppsala. (50 km) www.krusenbergherrgard.se
Kohlswa Herrgård, Herrgårdsallén 14, Kolsva, Köping. (150 km) www.kohlswa-herrgard.se
Såstaholm, Såstaholms Allé 12, Täby (25 km) www.sastaholm.se
Smådalarö Gård, road 227, Dalarö. (45 km) www.smadalarogard.se
Söderköpings brunn, Skönbergagatan 35, Söderköping. (177 km) www.soderkopingsbrunn.se
Södertuna Slott, by road 57, Gnesta. (70 km) www.sodertuna.se
Sundbyholms Slott, Eskilstuna. (110 km). www.sundbyholms-slott.se
Krägga Herrgård, Bålsta. (50 km) www.kragga.se/
Trosa Stadshotell, V. Långg. 19, Trosa, (65 km) www.trosastadshotell.se
Ulfsunda Slott, Margretelundsvägen 125, by road 279, Bromma. www.ulfsundaslott.se
Villa Söderås, Elfvik, Lidingö. www.villasoderas.se


Collection of Palaces round Mälaren open to visitors:
www.malarslott.se
The Swedish Royal family consists of
HM King Carl XVI Gustaf
HM Queen Silvia
HRH Crown princess Victoria and Mr Daniel Westling
HRH Prince Carl Philip
HRH Princess Madeleine
www.royalcourt.se

For additional information: www.stockholmtown.com/press