During the spring, the royal castles have been closed to visitors due to the corona pandemic. On July 1, four of the eleven royal castles reopened, but there will be few visitors. On a normal day during the high season, around 100,000 visitors can come to the Royal Palace in the Old Town of Stockholm, but now there will only be between 100 and 200. Due to the fact that there will hardly be any tourists, 75 percent of the revenue is estimated to be lost this year . In a normal year, tourists generate SEK 105 million. This year, revenues are estimated to be only 27 million.

- We have had a layoff so we have not hired hourly and summer employees, which is about 300 people. Then it is of course the case that when we have fewer employees, the management of parks and not in the way we normally do. It has effects on the care and care of the cultural heritage, says Staffan Larsson, head of the Governor's Office.

Government grants

The state provides grants to the court. Part to the so-called court state which finances the king's task as head of state and part to the so-called castle state which goes to preserve the royal castles and parks. But the care of them is paid for about 80 percent of income from, among others, tourists.

- This division of the appropriation is decided by the government and the Riksdag, so we have nothing to say about it.

Conversation about contributions

The Royal Family has not received any government subsidy to cope with the crisis, but according to Staffan Larsson, talks are underway with the Ministry of Finance.

- We want nothing more than to show this fantastic cultural heritage and no one gets happier than us when we see all the people out in our parks. But if you then take care of them, it costs money, says Staffan Larsson.