Sweden’s Prince Carl Philip (45) and Princess Sofia (40) have welcomed their fourth child, a baby girl, born on February 7, 2025, in Stockholm. Although this is the couple’s first daughter after three sons, she will not receive the title “Her Royal Highness” due to a 2019 decision by King Carl XVI Gustaf to limit royal titles for extended family members.
Why Won’t She Be an Official Princess?
In 2019, King Carl XVI Gustaf announced changes to Sweden’s royal structure, removing the “Her/His Royal Highness” (HRH) title from the children of Prince Carl Philip and Princess Madeleine. The goal was to create a smaller and more cost-efficient monarchy, ensuring that only direct heirs—like Crown Princess Victoria’s children—would represent the royal family in official duties.
This means that while Carl Philip’s daughter remains eighth in line to the throne, she will not have royal duties or state funding. Like her brother Prince Julian (3), she will still hold the courtesy title of “Princess,” but without the privileges that come with the HRH status.
A Growing Family
Princess Sofia was discharged from Danderyd Hospital just a day after giving birth, with Prince Carl Philip accompanying her and their daughter home. The couple has not yet announced the baby’s name, but it is expected to follow Swedish royal traditions.
The newborn baby joins her three older brothers: Prince Alexander (8), Prince Gabriel (7), and Prince Julian (3), who was the first royal child affected by the 2019 title restrictions.
Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia, who married in 2015, have gained popularity for their modern approach to royal life, balancing public duties with raising their family.
The Swedish Royal Court has not issued a statement on the decision to withhold the princess title, but the move continues to shape the future of the monarchy.
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