Ragnar Singsaas/2013 Getty Images(CNN) - The King of Sweden has reduced the number of family members who will continue to receive taxpayer funds, stripping five of his grandchildren of their royal highness status, according to an official statement.
The children will keep their titles of prince/princess and duke/duchess, but won't be expected to perform royal duties, Fredrik Wersll, marshal of the realm, said in a statement on the Swedish Royal Court's website Monday.
The only two grandchildren of King Carl Gustaf who were excluded from the move are the children of Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria -- Princess Estelle and her younger brother, Prince Oscar.
Her brother, Prince Carl Philip, also welcomed the news on Instagram, saying it would give his sons, Prince Alexander and Prince Gabriel, "freer choices in life."
King Carl Gustaf and his wife, Queen Silvia, have three children -- Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Carl Philip, and Princess Madeleine.