The queen of Sweden has said that she believes a royal palace near Stockholm is haunted by 'very friendly' ghosts.

Drottningholm Palace is the private residence of the country's royal family, and was originally built in the late 16th century.

The palace is located on an island in Lake Mälar, and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Queen consort Silvia - the wife of King Carl XVI Gustaf - made the comments about a supernatural presence in a new television documentary about the building.

As translated by TheLocal.se, the 73-year-old royal said: “There’s a lot of history here. There are also little friends… the ghosts. They’re all very friendly, but you sometimes feel like you aren’t alone.

"Come and feel it for yourself - go around here when it is dark and the like. It’s very exciting."

She added: "You don’t get scared, it’s as friendly as there is. Imagine what they could tell?”