King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden’s decision to make changes within the Royal House over five years ago paved the way for Princess Madeleine to start a skincare line. While addressing criticism she’s received for her new venture, minLen, during a recent interview with RTL News’ Frauke Ludowig, the Swedish Princess admitted that her father’s decision in 2019 gave her “the opportunity to do other things.”
“I can understand their concerns and the critics that they have, but [a] couple of years ago, there was a big decision that they’re slimming down and focusing more [on] my sister, the Crown Princess [Victoria],” Princess Madeleine, 42, said. “Many monarchies in Europe are doing that, and with that, they slimmed it down and they said, ‘Okay, we’re focusing more on the Crown Princess Family.'”
She added, “So, me and my brother [Prince Carl Philip], it kind of gave us an opportunity to do other things. Nowadays, I don’t have that many official duties anymore, or I should not do that many. And they say, ‘Okay, now feel free to do other things.’ So then I said, ‘Okay, I’ll do it!'”
On Oct. 7, 2019, the Marshal of the Realm announced that the Swedish King had decided to make changes to the Royal Household. “The purpose of these changes is to clarify which persons within the Royal Family can be expected to be called upon for such official assignments that are incumbent on the Head of State or are related to the office of Head of State,” the Marshal of the Realm said (translated to English). “HM The King’s decision means that the children of HRH Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia, as well as the children of HRH Princess Madeleine and Mr Christopher O’Neill, will no longer belong to the Royal House.”
© Michael Campanella/Getty ImagesAlthough Carl Philip and Madeleine’s respective children would remain members of the royal family, the Marshal of the Realm stated that they would “no longer have the status of Royal Highnesses and are not expected to undertake such assignments as befit the Head of State in the future.”
At the time, it was noted that the King and the Crown Princess, along with Queen Silvia and Victoria’s husband Prince Daniel, are “Sweden’s foremost representatives within the country and towards other states.” Meanwhile, His Majesty’s younger kids, Carl Philip and Madeline, would “carry out official assignments to the extent decided by” the King, and they would “continue to work within the non-profit foundations and activities that they have founded and/or are involved in.”
Following the announcement, Madeleine wrote on Instagram that she and her husband Christopher O’Neill thought it was “good” for their kids, Princess Leonore, Prince Nicolas and Princess Adrienne. “This change has been planned for a long time,” she revealed. “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.”
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