Monday, October 7, 2019

King Carl XVI Gustaf announces changes to Royal Family




Sandra Birgersdotter/ Kungl Hovstaterna


Official announcement; "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."



OFFICE OF THE MARSHAL OF THE REALM

7 October 2019

Fredrik Wersäll
Marshal of the Realm

A press conference followed the announcement.  The children retain their princely and ducal titles, but these titles are personal, and will not be shared with spouses or children.

 Prince Carl Philip, Princess Sofia and Princess Madeleine will continue to carry out their charitable engagements.  Their children will not carry out official engagement.

In his statement to the the press, Wersall said the "decision is not irrevocable."  The line of succession has not changed.

On Instagram. both  Prince Carl Philip and Princess Madeleine commented on announcement.

Carl Philip: "Today, the King announced the decision that our children no longer hold the Royal Highness position. We see this as positive as Alexander and Gabriel will have freer choices in life.
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They will retain their prince titles and their duchies, Södermanland and Dalarna, which we value and are proud of. Our family has strong connections to both landscapes and we maintain our commitment there.
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We will continue to focus on our heart issues and commitment. We will also continue to support the King and Crown Princess - our future head of state - and participate in the Royal House activities as we wish."

HRH Princess Madeleine of Sweden


Madeleine: "Earlier today,  the Court  went out with the information that Leonore, Nicolas and Adrienne will no longer belong to the Royal House.
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This change has been planned for a long time. Chris and I think it is good that our children now have a greater opportunity to shape their own lives as individuals in the future."

12 comments:

Brent said...

Any idea if there will be a style now that HRH is dropped? Or will it just be Duke/Duchess of XXX? Thanks Brent

Marlene Eilers Koenig said...

the ducal titles are not used in the same way as UK titles ... they remain Prince and Princess as honorifics and were referred to as such in the statement

Candace Hinchey said...

The statement says "the decision is not irrevocable". Does that mean in the future
perhaps the Crown Princess, as Queen Regnant, could change her mind on the issue and restore the HRH? Just curious.

Maora JFB said...

I understand that before, Carl Philip's and Madeleine's children were styled as "His/Her Royal Highness Prince/ss X of Sweden, Duke/Duchess of Y". Now they will be style as "His/Her Highness Prince/ss X of Sweden..." or just "Prince/ss X of Sweden..." ?

Furthermore, did I understand right : Member of the Royal House = HRH style and also Member of the Royal House = official activities ?
Did Christopher O'Neil was a member of the Royal House or not ?
What is/will be the real impact for the children of not being an HRH anymore ? Just the fact they will not need to carry out duties in the name of the Crown ?

Marlene Eilers Koenig said...

the prince and princess title is now an honorific - no longer of Sweden. Carl Philip and Madeleine's children will be able to have careers, and not be bound to the royal house. Their children will not be royal. They are no longer members of the Royal House but are members of the royal family. Chris is not a member of the Royal House or the Royal family. HH does not exist in Sweden. Nor does it exist in Norway. The five children now join the KIng's sisters Margaretha, Desiree and Christina, but not Birgitta, who is HRH, and remains a member of the royal house.

It is unlikely that Victoria would restore the HRH. These are collateral lines. The focus is on Victoria and her two children, especially Estelle. I expect the same will happen to Oscar's kids.

Candace Hinchey said...

I understand that Victoria in all likelihood won't restore it, but based on the vocabulary, COULD she? Would she have to have the agreement of whatever legislative body there is in Sweden if she did?

- said...

Marlene, there certainly is the style Highness in use in Norway. It is used by minor members of the RF, those not included in the Royal House.

Marlene Eilers Koenig said...

Not in Norway. Absolutely not HH does not exist in Norway. Look at the Norwegian royal family's official website in Norwegian https://www.kongehuset.no/seksjon.html?tid=27163&sek=26940 Highness has never been an official style in the Norwegian royal house. Martha Louise, Ragnhild and Astrid were born Royal Highnesses. Martha Louise lost hers before her marriage, her aunts when they married commoners and Sverre never had it. In Norway, they have no style. HIghness is used outside Norway, not in the same as as HRH, your highness, but never an official declaration because HH has never been used in Norway.

Marlene Eilers Koenig said...

Candace, Sweden is not the UK. If the King had not done it, the government would have.

Candace Hinchey said...

Marlene, I am well aware that "Sweden is not in the UK". I passed geography. It was just a simple question of curiosity.

Marlene Eilers Koenig said...

CANDACE, it was not about geography but the differences between the two countries. The King is a true figurehead.

- said...

Marlene, you're right. I missed that it is only used for international purposes. Cheers.