Young Royals is a Swedish teen drama series on Netflix that tracks Prince Wilhelm of Sweden as he navigates elite boarding school life, public duty, and first love. Created by Lisa Ambjörn, Lars Beckung, and Camilla Holter, the show ran for three seasons from 2021 to 2024, earning praise for its realistic portrayal of teenage anxiety, class divides, and queer romance without standard soapy clichés.
The series stands apart from typical teen dramas by casting age-appropriate actors, using natural lighting, and showing skin texture and acne rather than polished glamour. If you're trying to understand the plot, characters, and cultural footprint of the show, here is the breakdown of what makes the phenomenon tick.
Plot Overview and Setting
The core narrative kicks off when Prince Wilhelm (Edvin Ryding) gets into a public altercation, prompting the royal family to send him to Hillerska, a fictional elite boarding school. Wilhelm's parents expect him to straighten up, study hard, and uphold the crown's spotless image.
At Hillerska, Wilhelm meets Simon Eriksson (Omar Rudberg), a day student from a working-class family living in the nearby town of Bjärstad. While the rest of the student body consists of wealthy, entitled aristocrats and old-money heirs, Simon and his sister Sara exist on the social periphery. Wilhelm and Simon strike up an immediate friendship that quickly develops into a secret romance.
The plot thickens when August of Årnäs (Malte Gårdinger), Wilhelm's troubled, debt-ridden cousin and a senior prefect at Hillerska, records an intimate moment between Wilhelm and Simon. August leaks the video to protect his own standing, triggering a massive national scandal that forces Wilhelm to choose between his royal obligations and his personal happiness.
Main Characters and Cast
Understanding the dynamics at Hillerska requires looking at the central roster of characters:
- Prince Wilhelm (Edvin Ryding): The reluctant royal heir dealing with profound grief after his brother's death, severe panic attacks, and the crushing weight of public expectation.
- Simon Eriksson (Omar Rudberg): A talented choir singer who stays true to his working-class roots and refuses to be anyone's dirty secret.
- August of Årnäs (Malte Gårdinger): The antagonist driven by desperation, social climbing, and deep-seated insecurities about his family's lost fortune.
- Felice Ehrencrona (Nikki Deliu): An upper-class student who starts as part of the toxic inner circle before befriending Simon and supporting Wilhelm and Simon's relationship.
- Sara Eriksson (Frida Argento): Simon's sister, who longs to fit in with the wealthy elite at Hillerska, leading her down a complicated path with August.
Behind the Scenes and Production
Production on Young Royals utilized real historical properties in Sweden to build the fictional world.
- Hillerska Boarding School: Exterior and interior scenes were primarily filmed at Kaggeholms Gård, an estate located in Ekerö just outside Stockholm.
- The Royal Palace: Scenes depicting the Swedish royal residence were shot at Stora Sundby Castle in Eskilstuna.
- Realism: The directors encouraged actors to improvise dialogue and wear minimal makeup. This stylistic choice gave the show an authentic, documentary-like intimacy that resonated deeply with viewers.
Common Misconceptions
When diving into the fandom, viewers often run into a few recurring points of confusion:
- Is it based on a true story? No, the characters and the Hillerska school are entirely fictional, though the portrayal of Swedish boarding school traditions and strict royal protocol draws inspiration from real societal structures.
- Will there be a season 4? No, the creators planned the narrative as a strict three-season arc. The story concludes cleanly with the third season finale released in March 2024.
- Are the actors actually teenagers? When filming began, the main cast members were in their late teens or early twenties, which allowed them to portray high school experiences with physical and emotional accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Young Royals end?
The series concludes with a joyful and cathartic finale where Wilhelm confronts his family's rigid traditions, clears the air with Simon, and embraces a future on his own terms.
Where can I watch Young Royals?
The complete series streams exclusively on Netflix across all regions, featuring the original Swedish audio with multi-language subtitles and dubs.
Why is the show called Young Royals?
The title highlights the generational conflict at the heart of the story, contrasting modern teenagers with ancient institutions, royal protocols, and the archaic expectations placed on youth in the public eye.
