Swedish queen says her palace is haunted by 'friendly ghosts'

Queen Silvia of Sweden believes her royal palace is haunted, according to a documentary to be aired on Swedish public television on Thursday.

View of Drottningholm Palace and part of the Park, in Stockholm County, Uppland, Sweden, with a fountain in the foreground. Source: Mary Evans Picture Library

Queen Silvia says one of the Swedish royal family's palaces is haunted but there is nothing to be afraid of.

The queen says phantoms at their private Drottningholm Palace are "pretty friendly" in a documentary about to be aired on Thursday on public television channel SVT.

Silvia says smilingly "there are ghosts, many" before adding "you feel you get a little excited" when talking about them.

Queen Silvia of Sweden. Source: AAP

Asked whether she had experienced the ghosts herself, she replied "of course. But they are friendly."

Located on an island in Stockholm's archipelago, the royals' private residence was originally built in the late 16th century.

Silvia, born in Germany as Silvia Renate Sommerlath, is married to King Carl XVI Gustaf, Sweden's ceremonial head of state.