History’s grandest coronation procession

Queen Kristina's coronation in 1650 was one of the most lavish and most attention drawing coronations in Swedish history. Enormous orders were made in Paris several years prior to the event.

In October 1650, Queen Kristina’s coronation procession to the Royal Palace set off from Ulriksdal Palace, and was unique in many ways. The coronation was the most expensive and lavish in Sweden’s history.

Forty warships paraded in the Strömmen and three triumphal arches were built in the city. The procession that began at Ulriksdal Palace was so long, that as the first people arrived at the palace in Stockholm, the final people had not even left Ulriksdal.

Kristina's coronation coach is one of the most important objects from Swedish 17th century ceremonial history.

Since the 1600s – for over 300 years – the magnificent carriage textiles have been preserved in the Royal Armoury. The entire livery for a set of six team horses has also been preserved.

Reconstruction of the coronation carriage began in the 1980s. This meant the entire carriage, with a team of six white horses, could be displayed for the first time since the 1600s. The equipage was showcased at many venues, including the Royal Academy of Arts in London, in 1989.

The equipage is currently exhibited at the Ulriksdal stables, which date back to the 1700s. This is quite fitting as it is from Ulriksdal that Queen Kristina's coronation procession began – a castle that the Queen frequented quite often during her short reign.

Copperplate from Queen Kristina’s coronation procession, by Johan Sasse, 1650s. Stockholm Cathedral can be seen in the top left corner, the destination for the coronation procession. The image has been cropped. Photo: Royal library

Coronation equipage. Photo: Göran Schmidt

BOOK A VIEWING OF THE CORONATION 
The museum for Queen Kristina’s coronation coach is in the stables at Ulriksdal Palace. Viewings can be booked for groups - read more at Group Visits.

Visit us

Join the guided tours and hear about the palace’s royal history, the history of the building itself and the preserved furnishings.

Read more

Ulriksdal Palace and the Orangery Museum are open for group visits, booked in advance, during May–September.

Read more

Discover more at Ulriksdal Palace

A tour of Ulriksdal Palace gives the visitor an exciting view of interior design spanning from the 1600s to the 1900s. On view are rooms ...

Read more

Centrally located in the Ulriksdal Palace grounds beside the palace itself lies the greenhouse built in 1600s. Nowadays the Orangery hous...

Read more

From the time that Jakob dela Gardie built a palace by Edsviken strand, some form of garden and park has also existed at Ulriksdal.

Read more

Sweden's oldest Rococo theatre, which dates back to 1753, offers both performances and guided tours. In 1976, Princess Christina showed t...

Read more

Ulriksdal Palace has had a chapel since 1662. At that time a chapel was built in the palace's northern wing by architect Jean de la Vallé...

Read more

The Orangery in Ulriksdal Palace Park is housing sale from the Royal Gift Shop. You will also find visit information about the attraction...

Read more

Articles and movies

Christmas market, Christmas service, Christmas concerts and Christmas holiday activities. Experience the Christmas spirit at the Royal pa...

Read more

In 1923, the newlywed Crown Prince Gustaf (VI) Adolf and Louise Mountbatten moved into Ulriksdal Palace. What they asked for as a wedding...

Read more

Queen Kristina's coronation was highly controversial. She chose not to be crowned in the traditional location, and refused to wear the Qu...

Read more

Customer service

Opening hours: