The King of Sweden has reduced the size of the royal family by five.
The change by King Carl XVI Gustaf was announced in a Monday statement from Fredrik Wesäll, marshal of the realm, and means that taxpayer dollars will no longer go to them. The decision relieves Prince Alexander, Prince Gabriel, Princess Leonore, Prince Nicolas, and Princess Adrienne of their royal duties, although they will still continue to be called princes and princesses.
Two of King Gustaf’s grandchildren were excluded from the move, Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar.
Royal expert Roger Lungren said the shakeup comes amid growing scrutiny about the royals in Sweden.
“Parliament announced a few years ago that it would have a review of some principles regarding the monarchy. One thing was the size of the family,” he said.
In a Monday Instagram post after the decision, Princess Madeleine welcomed the move, noting that it had been “planned for some time” and would give her children “a greater opportunity to shape their own lives as private individuals.”
King Gustf, 73, has reigned since 1973. His heir apparent is 42-year-old Crown Princess Victoria.
