At first glance, this portrait of the Caroline royal family seems to capture a moment in time, but it in fact has a message to convey. Dow- ager Queen Hedvig Eleonora occupies the place of honour: she wears a royal mantle and is the only person seated. At the same time, she is pointing to the future of the dynasty, her grandchild Charles (XII), who is receiving a laurel wreath from his sister. According to Ehren- strahl’s explanation of colour symbolism, the blue in which he is draped stands for eternity and constancy.