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The Halls of the Orders

The exhibition originally opened in 1993 and was completed in 2005–2009. It tells of the history of the honours system, the emergence and evolution of the Swedish Orders of Knighthood, as well as a selection of Sweden’s most prominent medals.

The Halls of the Order were created in during 1860–1866 based on foreign examples, with visitors first encountering the Hall of the Order of Vasa, followed by the Hall of the Order of the Polar Star, the Hall of the Order of the Sword and the Hall of the Order of the Seraphim. The intention was to dub newly appointed knights in the halls, but they were never used in ceremonial contexts of the order (Karl XV having abolished the dubbing ceremony in 1865). The Hall of the Seraphim Order is still used once a year by the Chapter of the Orders.

The Halls of the Orders in the Royal Palace. Photo: Jonas Borg/Kungl. Hovstaterna

The Halls of the Orders in the Royal Palace. Photo: Jonas Borg/Kungl. Hovstaterna

His Majesty the King at the Chapter of the Orders. Photo: Sara Friberg/Kungl. Hovstaterna

His Majesty the King at the Chapter of the Orders. Photo: Sara Friberg/Kungl. Hovstaterna