Royal Swedish Yacht Club (KSSS) was honored to host the prestigious Royal Clubs’ Ball at the Grand Hôtel in Stockholm on February 14, with 650 distinguished guests, including Their Majesties the King and Queen of Sweden.

This incredible tradition was originally created in 1956 when the four Stockholm Royal clubs, KSSS (sailing), KMK (motor yacht), KAK (cars), KSAK (airplane), decided to have a joint ball at the Grand Hôtel in Stockholm. In 1960 they did it again and ever since it has been a tradition where the three larger clubs, KSSS, KMK and KAK, rotate the honor of hosting.

2025 marked an important edition of the Royal Ball and a return to a biennial schedule. The pandemic and the King’s own celebrations of 50 years on the throne in 2023 paused the tradition. KSSS was very proud to take the lead of this year’s edition and get the tradition back on schedule.

Planning an event with 600 guests, including the Royal family, booking the Grand Hôtel, selecting the entertainment, deciding on food and beverage, securing sponsors, arranging seating, coordinating between clubs, and much more, takes serious effort. KSSS established a “working committee” in December 2023, which has, in coordination with the yacht clubs’ professional staff, worked relentlessly for over a year to make this an unforgettable event for all guests.

One new feature this year is that KSSS has added at “power lunch” to secure a networking opportunity with the sponsors on the day of the event. At the lunch, Whitbread & Volvo Ocean Race veteran Gurra Krantz gave a very inspiring talk to the audience with war stories from his adventures, combined with wine tasting and a short education in ball etiquette.

All and all, the evening was a fantastic success. “Although I am much younger than the ball itself, I am quite certain that this year’s event will be remembered as one of the best, with a relaxed and positive, yet royally grand atmosphere,” said Iohn Ryott of the
KSSS Information Committee.

Grand Hôtel closed the party at 1:00am, but many guests were far from ready to go home and set out into the Stockholm nightlife. Rumors are that tailcoats were seen at Foo and Spy bar very late the following morning!

We already look forward to the next Royal Clubs’ Ball in 2027!