The Swedish Royal Court announced some big changes for the royal household today. Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia‘s children – Prince Alexander and Prince Gabriel – and Princess Madeleine and Chris O’Neill‘s children – Princess Leonore, Prince Nicolas, and Princess Adrienne – will no longer be styled HRH (or HKH in Swedish).
The loss of HRH status means the children are no longer expected to represent the Crown in official capacity, and are considered private citizens. By being private individuals, the children are not restricted in employment or business, as other members of the Royal Household are, and they are not expected to have their living costs covered by the parliament grant given to the King.
While Carl Philip and Madeleine’s children will no longer be HRH, they will retain their respective Duchy titles, and will remain in the line of succession.
The announcement in full:
His Majesty The King has decided on changes to The Royal House. The purpose of these changes is to establish which members of The Royal Family may be expected to perform official duties incumbent on the Head of State or related to the function of the Head of State.
His Majesty The King has decided that the children of Their Royal Highnesses Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia, and the children of Her Royal Highness Princess Madeleine and Mr Christopher O’Neill will no longer be members of The Royal House.
Prince Alexander, Prince Gabriel, Princess Leonore, Prince Nicolas and Princess Adrienne will continue to be members of The Royal Family. However, they will no longer enjoy the style of Royal Highness and, in the future, will not be expected to perform duties incumbent on the Head of State.
Prince Alexander (Duke of Södermanland), Prince Gabriel (Duke of Dalarna), Princess Leonore (Duchess of Gotland), Prince Nicolas (Duke of Ångermanland) and Princess Adrienne (Duchess of Blekinge) will retain their titles of Duke and Duchess previously granted by His Majesty.
His Majesty The King and Her Royal Highness The Crown Princess are, together with Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness Prince Daniel, Sweden’s highest representatives within the Realm and vis-à-vis other States.
Their Royal Highnesses Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia, and Her Royal Highness Princess Madeleine will continue their work in the non-profit foundations and organisations which they have founded or in which they are involved. In addition, they will perform official duties to the extent decided by His Majesty.
kungahust.se
The Royal House, those members who retain HRH status and will represent the Crown, includes: King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia, Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel, Princess Estelle, Prince Oscar, Prince Carl Philip, Princess Sofia, and Princess Madeleine. For historical reasons, the King’s sister, Princess Birgitta, is also included in the Royal House and retains HRH.
The Royal Family includes everyone who is a member of the Royal House, as well as all of the King’s other grandchildren and the King’s sisters.
In addition to this news, the Swedish Court released an updated photo of the King and his heirs: Crown Princess Victoria and Princess Estelle.
I’m surprised, but also not surprised, by this. It makes sense for the Swedes to cull the number of HRHs. I read an article in the Swedish press in 2016 that was negative on the fact that the number of HRHs ballooned over the (then) last five years – going from six to 12, with Carl Philip’s marriage and the birth of all the children. Sweden is small and doesn’t need a huge number of royals out and about doing things.
This change also follows the Norwegian royal house and Danish royal house in limiting HRH status to the monarch and direct heirs, and their spouses. Will we see this happen to the Brits? Maybe. There has been talk for years of Charles wanting to “streamline” the monarchy. I have many more thoughts on this subject in relation to the Brits, but that’s a whole other article.
As a side note: Estelle is so grown up! When did that happen!?
