Switzerland has no tradition of royalty, has never had a king or a queen. Still, or maybe just for that reason, the otherwise democracy-driven Swiss love to hear stories about royal families and houses. This is borne out by the large crowds of cheering people that line the streets when crowned heads visit Switzerland.

The list of royals who have visited Switzerland since the 18th century is long. It includes, among others, Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor, Tsar Alexander I, Emperor Napoleon III, Queen Victoria, Ludwig II of Bavaria, Empress Elisabeth of Austria, Emperor William II, Queen Astrid of Belgium, Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, Queen Elisabeth II, King Hussain I, and King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia.

The exhibition recounts stories of the royals in Switzerland and presents rare and precious memorabilia from their travels, for instance, watercolours by Queen Victoria, Empress Sisi’s evening dress and poetic diary, as well as a tuft of lion’s hair that once adorned Emperor Selassie’s hat.