The three-tailed flag

Since 1873, the royal flag has been raised on the roof of the Royal Palace. The three-tailed flag which flies here is reserved for the Royal Court and the Swedish Armed Forces. The flag of the Royal Court has the national coat of arms at the centre of the cross, but its appearance and size depend on the weather and the current regent.

It is normally flown in the form of the medium-sized flag, which measures 360x180 centimetres and features the greater national coat of arms at the centre of the yellow cross. When the medium-sized flag is raised at the Royal Palace, this means that The King is able to fulfil his duties as Head of State.

If The King is prevented from doing so, for example during state visits abroad, The Crown Princess steps in as temporary regent. On these occasions, a three-tailed flag featuring the lesser national coat of arms flies instead. However, the size is the same as the medium-sized flag.

On national flag days, on royal birthdays, in connection with incoming state visits and when The King receives new foreign ambassadors at the palace, a larger flag – the extra large flag – is raised. This measures 540x270 centimetres, and features the greater national coat of arms at the centre of the yellow cross.

Another flag is also used: the storm flag, which – as its name suggests – is raised in the event of strong winds. This smaller flag measures 180x90 centimetres.

The tradition of flying flags at the Royal Palace began in the year when King Oskar II was crowned. As successor to the Swedish throne, he had flown the flag at his summer residence of Sofiero, and subsequently also at the Riksdag building and other official buildings. In 1873, The King decreed that the flag should be flown at the Royal Palace.

The medium-sized flag is raised at the Royal Palace. Poto: Kaffegruppen/Royalpalaces.se

Visit us

Guided tours Open today 10.00-16.00

A guided tour will ensure that your visit to the palace is particularly memorable. Our knowledgeable guides bring objects to life, puttin...

Read more
App with guides Open today 10.00-16.00

The Swedish Royal Palaces app includes a number of features to enhance your visit to the Royal Palaces.

Read more
For children Open today 10.00-16.00

The Palace's grand state rooms, the mediaeval gate at the Tre Kronor Museum and the crowns in the Treasury are just a few of the exciting...

Read more

Events

Royal Palace tour 1 Sep – 27 Apr 2025

Join our knowledgeable guides for a tour through the state rooms at the Royal Palace of Stockholm. During the tour, history will be broug...

Tickets
Christmas hunt 26 Dec – 6 Jan 2025

Bring your children and grandchildren to the Royal Palace's state rooms during the Christmas holidays. We need your help looking for elve...

Tickets

The last day of the year will end with the Armed Forces Music Corps' annual New Year's concert in the Royal Chapel at the Royal Palace. T...

Tickets

Discover more at The Royal Palace

The Royal Apartments Open today 10.00-16.00

The Royal Apartments at the Royal Palace is a collective name for the magnificent state rooms that are used at The King and Queen's recep...

Read more
The Hall of State Open today 10.00-16.00

The Hall of State was ready for use by the 1755 parliament, and was the place where sessions were held under the chairmanship of the mona...

Read more

The Apartments of the Orders house an exhibition relating to the Orders of Chivalry. During the Age of Liberty the rooms were offices for...

Read more
The Treasury Open today 10.00-16.00

In dark cellar vaults at the Royal Palace the Monarchy's most important symbols – the Regalia – are kept in safe-keeping. See fascinating...

Read more
Museum Three Crowns Open today 10.00-16.00

The Museum Three Crowns (Tre Kronor) is a museum dedicated to the original Tre Kronor Palace in Stockholm, which was destroyed in a viole...

Read more
The Royal Gift Shop Open today 10.00-16.00

Welcome to a boutique that is something out of the ordinary. The Royal Gift Shop is a unique present and souvenir shop offering products ...

Read more

Articles and movies

At the Royal Gift Shop, you can find unique Christmas gifts inspired by the interiors and collections of Sweden's royal palaces. Every pr...

Read more

Take a ride in the Royal Stables' Daimler DE27 Limousine, and listen to driver Martin Forsén as he talks about the Royal Stables' oldest ...

Read more

The Swedish Royal Palaces app 'Kungliga slotten' now includes a number of new features to enhance your visit to the royal palaces.

Read more

Customer service

Opening hours:

Visit us