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Originally, this was the residency of Masovian Dukes, and from the 16th century, this was the seat of the First Republic of Poland (I Rzeczpospolita) authorities: the king and the Seym (Chamber of Deputies and Senate). In the 19th century, after the collapse of the November Uprising (Powstanie listopadowe), it was used for Russian administration’s purposes. In the period of World War I, this was the residency of German governor-general. Between 1920 and 1922 this was the seat of Chief of State (Naczelnik Państwa). Between 1926 and 1939 this was the residency of the President of the Republic of Poland. The Castle was burnt and plundered by Germans in 1939, and almost completely destroyed in 1944. After 1971 it was rebuilt and reconstructed. Currently, it is a historic and national culture monument; it has got museum and representative functions. It is entered into the National Register of Museums.

Throughout its long history, the Royal Castle was repeatedly plundered and destroyed by Swedish, Brandenburgian, German, and Russian armies.

In 1980, the Royal Castle, together with the Old Town, was listed in UNESCO world heritage