On May 26, Prince Philip was at Strömsholm Palace to inaugurate the exhibit Ridkonst och fursteroll (Horsemanship and the Prince’s Roll), which honors Queen Hedvig Eleonora and highlights the importance of the horse for the prince during the 1600s. Both symbolic and practical, the horse stood for power, glory, wealth, success and victory.

Strömsholm, a baroque palace where Hedvig Eleaonora spent a lot of time, is built on an island fortress site from the 1550s at the west end of Lake Mälaren, about 1.5 hours west of Stockholm. Horse breeding stations were built nearby, and kings have learned to ride there; in 1858 it became the center for the Army riding school. Today Strömsholm is a popular daytrip destination, wedding venue and site of annual equestrian competitions.

Hedvig Eleonora became the queen of Sweden soon after her wedding to King Charles X Gustav in November 1654. She was just 18. Her parents —Duke Fredrik III of Holstein-Gottorp and Marie Elisabeth of Saxony — and his parents arranged the alliance against their mutual enemy Denmark.

Hedwig Eleonora of Holstein-Gottorp (1636–1715) was Queen of Sweden from 1654 until 1660. She was described as a dominant personality and was regarded as strict but fair by her employees, and popular at court for her humor and fondness for parties. Hedwig Eleonora enjoyed great respect as "Riksänkedrottningen," which means "Queen Dowager of the Realm." During her reign, Queen Hedwig Eleonora focused more on the administration of her dower lands and the upbringing of her son rather than politics, and was regarded as the de facto first lady of the royal court for 61 years until her death.