The director of the press department, Margareta Thorgren says that the king's decision about the seating order at the prize ceremony is based on that the Nobel Prize winners should be the focus. Not the royal family.
Previous years the viewers have become accustomed to see the royal family members up on stage at the Concert Hall at the prize ceremony. We have usually seen Prince Carl Philip and Princess Madeleine at the blue Nobel carpet behind the royal couple.
But this year it is different, for the first time several members of the family sit down there in the audience. Not on the stage. This year it is special when both Prince Carl Philip's future wife Sofia Hellqvist is invited and even Princess Madeleine's husband Chris O'Neill makes his debute.
Now it would suddenly be four couples, eight people, up in the royal chairs on the stage and the court and the king, in consultation with the Nobel Foundation think that it is too many people.
- Yes, it would simply be too many and that is why this decision has been made. Now it will be the head of state, the queen, the heir to the throne and the prince who represent the royal family and the family at the ceremony. Everyone feels that it is important that the prize winners are in the focus, says Margareta Thorgren.
Those who had expected to see Sofia Hellqvist with the royal family on stage?
- There will be several occasions during the evening. Everyone in the family is located at the Table of Honor at the dinner, says Thorgren.
Kungens val Splittrar familjen vid ceremoni Nyheter Expressen
Translation
So according to this it seems that this is the permanent seating order from now on. Very good decision.