Stockholm’s Royal Palace and the change of Royal Guards

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Sweden is one of the few monarchy countries that still practice traditional royalty rituals like the changing of guards. These guards are called Swedish Royal Guards and they play an integral part of guarding the Stockholm Royal Palace as well as the Drottningholm Palace where the Swedish Royal Family lives.

I was quite lucky the day I was in Gamla Stan because when I passed by the Kungliga Slottet (Royal Palace) the change of Royal Guards was on the way. I don’t think it was very spectacular but it was nice. Upon closer look on some of the guards, I noticed they were curvy and they have thicker breasts. Then I realized that they were women! There were quite a number of them in fact.

Did you know that there are 1430 rooms in Stockholm’s Royal Palace?

The Swedish Royal Family comes from the House of Bernadotte. I am not really a royal fanatic (nor a celebrity fanatic—they are only people like us!) and I would not want to be in their shoes as well, unless of course if I would fall under the nameless royalty category. Most people tend to see royalty through rose-coloured glasses, i.e., fairy tales, castles and palaces, prince charming on a white horse, crowns, jewelry and more riches...

But I think being royalty is like being a prisoner with status. It’s like living in a golden cage. If that is the case, I’d rather be set free. Although mind you, I would not mind being a nameless royalty or one of those not popular royalty that do not have to follow a set of standards and values, and moreover, minus the paparazzi =)

Change of Royals Guards. I am not the best video taker out there so please bear with me on this one.

More pictures below!

Oh I want to have those boots!

Travel Period: August 2011

Welcome to my world! After years in the fast-paced tech world, I am now in my 50s and embracing a slower pace of life in the Dutch countryside. This diary is a collection of my favorite things: the joy of country home life, my new journey into gardening, and my lifelong passion for travel. Whether I am nurturing my garden, nesting at home, or exploring places locally and abroad, I am documenting it all. Come on in. I hope you enjoy your stay!

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