King of Sweden strips five grandkids of royal status

The official christening portrait of Princess Adrienne, with her parents Princess Madeleine and husband Christopher and behind, Queen Silvia and King Carl Gustaf of Sweden. Photo / Royal Court of Sweden

The King of Sweden has stripped five of his seven grandchildren of their royal status amid mounting pressure to cut back the monarchy's annual bills.

The children, aged between 1 and 5, are the offspring of two of King Carl XVI Gustaf's younger children — Prince Carl and his wife Princess Sofia, and US-based Princess Madeleine and her husband Christopher O'Neill.

While the five children will remain members of the royal family, they'll lose the titles of His and Her Royal Highness and, significantly, will not have access to taxpayer funds, news.com.au reports.

Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia with their two children Alexander and Gabriel. Photo / Royal Court of Sweden

Princess Madeleine explained that the change "has been planned for a long time" and it would give her three children, Leonore, Nicolas and Adrienne, a "greater opportunity to shape their own lives".

Meanwhile, Prince Carl and Princess Sofia were also happy with the decision, writing in a joint statement: "We see this as positive as Alexander and Gabriel will have freer choices in life."

The cost of the monarchy on taxpayers has been under scrutiny in recent years, with the bill currently topping $23 million annually.

Princess Madeleine and her husband Christopher with their three children, Leonore, Nicolas and Adrienne. Photo / Royal Court of Sweden

According to the Swedish royal court's top official, Fredrik Wersall, the royal family understood and had accepted the need for change.

"We have a large royal family. If you include the next generation, there are currently 10 people in the line of succession," he told Swedish media.

Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar, the children of Crown Princess Victoria and her husband Daniel Westling, retain their positions.

King Carl Gustaf with his heirs Crown Princess Victoria and her daughter Princess Estelle. Photo / Royal Court of Sweden

It's a similar format in the British royal family, where the decision to bestow titles upon close relatives of the Queen's has often come down to the parents' choice.

Zara and Peter Phillips missed out on royal titles after their parents, Princess Anne and Mark Phillips, turned down the Queen's offer to bestow them.

Meanwhile, Prince Harry and Meghan have chosen to skip a title for their five-month-old son Archie, who is seventh-in-line to the throne, in a bid to provide him with the lifestyle of a private citizen.