The Palace is sumptuously decorated inside, with sweeping wooden staircases and large grand hallways leading to rooms with decor much the same as it has been for centuries. Many hallways are lined with original artwork from the 17th and 18th centuries (although to be honest I didn't recognise too many artists names). The staff working there is informative and speaks English very well.

The Palace gives the visitor an idea of the grandeur and influence that Sweden once had and exerted throughout Europe and is an excellent starting place for anyone interested in the history of Stockholm and Sweden. The fact that it is still a working Palace adds to the enjoyment and if you are lucky then the Monarch may be home when you visit.

Admission is about 110 Kr (Nov 2002) and admission times vary but it is open during late morning and early afternoon Mon-Fri. A triple ticket is available that lets you see the Palace, Tre Kronor museum and the Treasury and allows you to visit another day if you don't have time to visit all in one day.

When you first walk in, you will be in the long hall of state with the canopy of dark blue with golden crowns embossed on the fabric. Underneath it is the silver throne that was presented to Queen Christiana in 1650.

Next, you will enter over 608 rooms where you can see collections of ancient finery, medals, antiques, and art work. The green marble arched staircase to the second floor is a beauty with decorative black iron fixtures held by cherubs. The guest apartments upstairs are still used by visiting heads of state. My favorite table in this area was a round black piece with round multi-colored pieces of marble inlayed into the top. I also like the tile covered stoves that provide heat...especially the one with the blue and white tiles in the yellow sunny room.

As you enter the Bernadotte apartments, the "aura" of the palace becomes more formal. This is also the haunted North wing, which is no wonder with all the paintings of past royalty watching as you walk by. The crystal chandeliers are most awesome in design hung from rococo medallions among velvet wallpapered walls. Long fine wood tables sit upon a highly polished parquet floor with some rooms having silk embroidered carpets in floral designs. The wood floor in the salon on the Northeast corner of the palace has trim in walnut with finely scrolled pieces of different woods cut into a fleur-de-lis in the center medallion....it's just beautiful!

The Royal Palace is where the Royal Family once lived in more than 600 rooms. It is now a museum, and the Royal family lives in Drottningholm, an island in Lake Malaren.

Although the Swedish king and queen prefer to live at Drottningholm, The Royal Palace remains their official address.

The present Royal Palace was completed in the mid-1700’s, replacing the original, which was burned down in the 17th century. It is the largest royal castle in the world still in its original use.

In the summer months, you can see the parade and changing of the Royal Guard daily. In winter it takes place on Wednesday and Sunday (on the other days there is no parade). The actual changing of the guard takes place at noon Monday to Saturday and at 1pm on Sunday in front of the Royal Palace.

The palace is huge and impressive. Tours are available. The guards still guard the palace courtyard, and there are many cannons nearby.

The Royal Palace and the surrounding area in Gamla Stan are very historic and beautiful, and they should not be missed.