The Royal Palace was built between 1825 and 1848 and currently serves as the residence of the reigning King Harold V. Over the 173-room building flies the gold-trimmed standard of the monarch, or the flag of the Crown Prince if the head of state is away.
Entrance to the Palace itself is only open for guided tours between 20 July and 15 August. However, everyone is welcome to sit on its steps, stroll around Palace Square, watch the changing of the guard and the Royal Guards in bowler hats with a bunch of feathers, wearing dark blue waistcoats with green epaulettes.
In front of the Palace is a bronze equestrian statue of King Charles XIV Johan, after whom the street starting from the palace doors is named. During the celebrations of Constitution Day (17 May), it is along this street that columns of Norwegians carrying national flags parade in a solemn parade, and members of the royal family greet the procession from the palace balcony.
Around the Royal Palace there is a park with ponds, laid out by the court gardener of King Carl XIV Johan. Oslo residents come here all the time to relax: sunbathe, rollerblade, play badminton and fly kites. Next to the park is the Grotto, a wooden villa built for the Norwegian poet and social activist Henrik Vergeland in the mid-19th century.
