Aftonbladet reveals: Here is Sofia's secret company
The company SKB Sweden AB was established in November last year. At the Board are Princess Sofia's father, Erik Hellqvist as a member and sister Sara Hellqvist as supplementary member. Princess Sofia isn't present in the registration documents, but the company's address is at the Royal Palace: H.M. Konungens Hovförvaltning Kungl. Slottet.
Aftonbladet calls the court, no one knows about the company. Information Officer Ulrika Näsholm doesn't know about it and press secretary Daniel Urso says that he'll ask inwards, if they have information about it. Margareta Thorgren refers to Jan Lindman, the Treasurer at the Court. He says that he doesn't have any information, he checks with the court's lawyer and returns to the question. He calls back:
- This is a brand newly established limited company. It's just like you're saying that the board consists of Erik and Sara Hellqvist.
According to Lindman Princess Sofia owns the company, but the tradition has been that a Royal should not sit on the board of a company, or have legal responsibility.
No one knows to what the company engages in. The documents sent to the Swedish Companies Registration Office mention: Consulting in leadership and business development, Sales in the textile and clothing industry and Management of movable and immovable property, and related business.
According to Lindman, a royal should be neutral and independent in relation to the different parts of society. To his knowledge Sofia owns 100 % of the shares.
Can we say that she is neutral as owner?
- It's like a passive ownership.
But it is on her initiative that the company started?
- Yes, she has discussed with us how to best do this and then we have recommended her to do in this way.
Lindman doesn't know where SKB (SKB, Sofia Kristina Bernadotte's initials, eds. note.) comes from.
Sara Hellqvist doesn't want to say anything about the company but refers to Lindman. Aftonbladet has asked for a comment also from princess Sofia.
Joakim Nergelius, professor of constitutional law at Örebro University, believes that starting the company is remarkable.
- I think that sounds strange. You'll be surprised.
According Nergelius the constitution and regulations are unclear, but the principle is clear: Royals should not sit in or own companies.
- It may affect their objectivity and independence. Maybe the court thought that this will work better than a directorship in a company. But one must ask whether a princess should engage herself in "consulting in leadership and business development." It sounds strange.
Madeleine was criticized in 2014 for her dual roles, when she joined as co-owner and vice president on her husband Chris O'Neill's companies.
Daniel left the board assignments in his company before his marriage in 2010. He, however, remains as one of the owners.
AFTONBLADET AVSLÖJAR_ Här är Sofias hemliga företag _ Nyheter _ Aftonbladet
The court's press release about the policy of the Members of the Royal Family's ownership in companies from May 2014:
Members of the Royal Family may be the owner or co-owner of a commercial company. Nor are there any constitutional obstacles to the royal family to own shares or part of the company. The royal family is however restrictive when it comes to engaging in commercial activities.
The Royal Court's policy on corporate issues is inter alia, that the Royal Family should not:
Be members of the commercial companies' boards
Be ceo or vice ceo
Be full-time employees
Policy kring Kungafamiljens ägande av bolag - Sveriges Kungahus