How to See the Oslo Royal Palace Changing of the Guard Ceremony

If you’re looking for free things to do in Oslo, I recommend planning a trip to see the Oslo Royal Palace Changing of the Guard Ceremony.

Similar to Buckingham Palace in London, you’ll find that there is a Norwegian Royal Guard stationed outside the palace. 

They are here 24 hours a day, every day of the year, to protect the King of Norway, the Norwegian Royal Family and their residences. 

Each day, you can see a striking display of Norwegian pageantry which involves a new guard taking over from the old guard for free.

Here’s a complete guide to seeing the Changing of the Guard Ceremony at Oslo Royal Palace, with exact times and what to expect.

Oslo Royal Palace history

Years ago, in medieval and Renaissance Norway, the Royal Family was always based in Akershus Fortress, which sits in the Oslofjord.

Then, in the 1800s, they moved to Paléet, a townhouse in Christiania (Sweden ruled Oslo).

In the first half of the 19th-century, this grand residence was constructed as a palace for King Charles III John of Norway.

He reigned as king of both Norway and Sweden and commissioned the current Oslo Royal Palace in 1821.

However, due to the high costs, it wasn’t finished until 1849. This meant that Charles III John died before it was finished.

After Norway gained independence in 1905, King Haakon VII became the first fully Norwegian monarch to live there.

It has been the official residence of the Norwegian Monarch ever since. 

Today, Oslo Royal Palace is still the official residence of King Harald V of Norway and Queen Sonja.

The Crown Prince resides at Skaugum, Asker, in the west of Oslo.

Akershus Fortress is still a royal residence today that is protected by His Majesty The King’s Guard, along with the Oslo Royal Palace. 

Who are the Oslo Royal Palace Guards?

Hans Majestet Kongens Garde or ‘His Majesty The King’s Guard (HMKG); The Royal Guards’ is a battalion of the Norwegian Army. 

They were established in 1856 when King Oscar I wanted to underline his authority as the King of Norway and Sweden.

The company moved from Stockholm to Christiania (Oslo) in 1888.

In 1905, King Haakon VII increased the size of the battalion guard and stationed them outside the Oslo Royal Palace. 

During the Second World War, the German Army nicknamed them ‘The Black Devils’. This was due to their menace in battle and dark uniforms.

Today, His Majesty The King’s Guard has two main roles: to protect the Monarch of Norway and the Norwegian Royal Residences. 

These include the Oslo Royal Palace, Bygdøy Kongsgård, Skaugum and Akershus Fortress. 

What is the Oslo Changing of the Guard?

The King’s Guard is stationed outside the palace 24 hours a day and 365 days of the year.

There must be guards outside the palace at all times, even when the royal family is not in residence.

Just like the Queen’s Guard in London, they cannot move from their posts. In fact, they should not talk or react to passers-by either.

The Oslo Changing of the Guard is when the sentries or gardisters who are on duty are relieved by a new batch of sentries. 

The elaborate ceremony is choreographed and involves lots of shouting and stomping. 

The soldiers march through the park and switch hands with the old watchmen. The whole process takes about 40 minutes. 

Although the Oslo Changing of the Guard doesn’t have as much pomp and ceremony as the one at Buckingham Palace. It is still worth seeing.

What time is the Oslo Royal Palace Changing of the Guard ceremony? 

The Changing of the Guard at Oslo Royal Palace takes place at 1.30 pm each day. It is free to watch the show. 

However, because it is a popular event in Oslo, arrive a little early to secure a spot. Especially in the summer season. 

In the winter season, the affair will be quite minimal. I went in January, and it was quite short. A good job too, as it was freezing.

However, during the summer months, the ceremony is much grander.

It involves a Norwegian Military Band and mounted police officers who lead the Royal Guard through the streets of Oslo. 

It starts at the old Akershus Fortress around 1.10 pm. The procession then moves to Kirkegaten, Karl Johans Gate, and finally the Royal Palace.

Then you can watch the Changing of the Guard. You could either follow the procession or wait at the palace for it to start.

Is the Oslo Changing of the Guard every day?

Yes, no matter what the weather, the ceremony takes place every single day.

However, the best day to see the Changing of the Guard is May 17, Constitution Day (National Day in Norway).

On this day, the ceremony becomes a huge event with a procession.

The Royal Family will appear on the palace balcony and greet the crowds in the palace square.

Top tips

• The Changing of the Guard is completely free to watch 

• It is quickly becoming one of the most popular events to attend in Oslo. So, I would get there early to secure a good spot

• Unlike London, you can get really close to the palace even when the royal family are in residence.

• The ceremony can take anything from 15 minutes to 40 minutes depending on the season.

Can you go inside Oslo Royal Palace?

In the summer months (June – August), you can take a guided tour of the Royal Palace in Oslo. 

As one of Norway’s most important and historic buildings, it’s definitely worth seeing. You can expect extravagant rooms and architecture.

However, tours are extremely popular, and tickets are often sold out on the day.

So, book your tickets in advance.  You can book online starting in March.

Most tours are in Norwegian, but a few English tours run daily. Tours last about an hour and run every 15-20 minutes during the day. 

If you can’t get a ticket, you may want to explore Oscarshall Summer Palace in Bygdøy. It’s open to the public Wednesday-Sunday. 

Exploring Oslo Palace Park / Slottsparken

Once you’ve finished watching the Changing of the Guard Ceremony, it’s well worth spending some time exploring the Palace Park. 

It’s a beautiful green area surrounding Palace Square and the largest park in Oslo’s city centre.

You’ll find plenty of walking routes, lakes, and greenery to relax in. In summer, it’s the perfect picnic spot.

Oslo Palace Park is open 24 hours a day, year-round. 

The Queen Sonja Art Stables

A recent addition to the Palace Park is the transformation of the Royal Stables.

This exciting project showcases various artefacts and pieces from the Royal Art Collection.

The exhibitions change regularly, and you can also attend various lectures and events throughout the year.

Where is the Royal Palace in Oslo?

The Royal Palace is located at the top of Karl Johan Street in Central Oslo.

This was named in honour of King Charles III John, who commissioned the Oslo Royal Palace. 

This is the main street in the city centre, and so it’s really easy to locate on foot, especially if your hotel is near there.

You can head up to Karl Johan Gate, and you’ll find the Palace Park nearby. 

I recommend a Ruter Ticket. This Oslo transport card lets you board buses, trams, ferries, and trains in the city.

Akershus Fortress

If you’re interested in visiting another royal residence, I recommend the famous Akershus Fortress.

Towering over the banks of Oslofjord, this medieval castle was built in 1299 by King Hakon V. 

In addition to serving as an active residence of the Crown Prince or Princess of Norway, it is one of the city’s most popular museums.

Guided tours are available in the summer, but the outer fortress is accessible year-round. 

Here you can witness another Changing of the Guard ceremony every day at 1.30 pm.

Where to stay in Oslo

Oslo accommodation is incredibly expensive, but you can find some amazing hotels at reasonable prices.

We stayed at the delightful Thon Hotel Cecil in Oslo. The rooms were really comfy and affordable.

Not only did our room rate come with a huge breakfast but they also provided a free ‘Smorgasboard’ dinner in the evenings.

Read more articles on Oslo

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Why you need to visit Vigeland Sculpture Park 

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