In Royal Service – guards, maids of honour and lackeys

Opens on October 23, 2026

In the Royal Armoury’s new colourful exhibition, In Royal Service, you are given a glimpse into life at the royal court. Magnificent costumes, gleaming silver trumpets, and striking portraits introduce some of the men and women who served the monarchy during the 17th and 18th centuries, through the traces they left behind.

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.

State livery for stable pages from 1782. The stable pages rode alongside and in front of the queen's carriage, among other things. Photo: Jens Mohr, the Royal Armoury/SHM.

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.

Running footmans's livery

This running footmans' livery was part of a diplomatic gift from Empress Maria Theresa of Austria to Gustav III in 1777.

Photo: Jens Mohr, the Royal Armoury/SHM.

Livery in the colors of the Vasa dynasty

Page livery in the yellow and black colors of the Vasa family. The livery is of a more everyday type and was common during the 17th century at the courts of both Gustav II Adolf and Christina.