Royal Guards (Sweden)

The Royal Guards ("Högvakten"), the Main Guard at the Stockholm Palace is carried out by different units of the Swedish Armed Forces and has responsibility for the protection of the Swedish Royal Family. The Royal Guard unit is usually divided into two parts, with the main force being stationed at the Royal Palace in Stockholm, with a smaller detachment at the Drottningholm Palace. The Swedish Royal Guard traces its history back to the early 16th Century, and the unit has continuously guarded the Royal Palace in Stockholm since 1523.

The Royal Guard is not only a task of the Livgardet of the Swedish Army. The duty of forming a "Royal Guard" is bestowed upon all serving regiments and on occasion of other detachments of the National Forces (like the Swedish Home Guard). However, these detachments only serve for about 5-7 days in each rotation, so the greater part of the year, the Royal Guard duty is being performed by the Livgardet, which derives its traditions and roots from the old Household Brigade and Svea Lifeguards.

Between April and August, the mounted companies of Livgardet can be seen in Stockholm and around the Royal Palace. Accompanied by the mounted music corps, they depart from the Royal Mews on Östermalm and arrives at the palace around noon for the relieving ceremony. These events attracts large numbers of tourists each summer.