In Royal Service – guards, maids of honour and lackeys
On view until spring 2028
Kings and queens were surrounded by hundreds of men and women. They were part of the court: the royal household and its surroundings. Always ready to serve or attend to the royal family and provide a grand setting for the monarchy. They made sure that the machinery of royalty ran smoothly day to day and on ceremonial occasions.
The court was their workplace, a world that both restricted and offered opportunities.
Unique Costumes and Artefacts
In the exhibition, you will meet some of these servants through the traces they left behind in the Royal Armoury’s collections. On display are several unique and vividly coloured liveries (court uniforms), portraits, partisans, a tournament armour, silver trumpets and the Swedish National Costume.
You will have the opportunity to experience Duchess Hedvig Elisabeth Charlotte’s spectacular wedding gown. Through her letters and diaries, you can discover invaluable accounts of life at court.
Today’s Royal Court
Visitors will gain an insight into today's Royal Court through short interviews with five current members of staff, including Jan Björklund, the newly appointed Marshal of the Realm and former political party leader.
There will also be opportunities to try on court liveries and learn the art of walking, standing and greeting according to court etiquette, guided by a pre-recorded dance master.
The exhibition In Royal Service. Photo: Jens Mohr, the Royal Armoury/SHM.
Visit the exhibition
The exhibition In Royal Service opens on October 23, 2026, at the Royal Armoury in Stockholm.
Top image: Chamber page livery, 1670s. Worn by younger noblemen at court. Photo: Jens Mohr, the Royal Armoury/SHM.
