What are the Countries That Still Have a Monarchy: 45 or 50 Royal Families
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| Full List of Countries That Are Still a Monarchy Today |
| Table of Contents |
Overview: Monarchies in the Modern World
Some traditions withstand the test of time in a world that is rapidly changing. For example, monarchies have existed throughout the history of human civilization. Many countries have switched to republics or other types of government, but a sizable number still adhere to their royal heritage. You can travel to nations that still practice monarchy as of 2024 with KnowInsiders.com.
Some may view monarchies as anachronistic in a time when democracies and republics predominate. These royal institutions do, however, still hold important positions in both their home countries and the wider world.
The continuity of a nation's history and culture is represented by monarchies, which frequently act as unifying symbols. The presence of a monarch can promote harmony and stability during tumultuous times.
Because they are non-partisan, they can rise above the daily political scuffle and serve as a unifying figure for the public.
The monarchs of today are more than just symbolic leaders. Many actively participate in philanthropic activities, support causes that are important to them, and even take part in international diplomacy.
They balance the demands of a contemporary population with the weight of tradition in a precarious tightrope act. Due to the way they combine long-standing traditions with modern sensibilities, they are frequently compelling figures on the international stage.
| In some countries, such as the United Kingdom, the monarch is a figurehead with wealth and influence but little political power. Nonetheless, nearly one in every four countries still recognizes a royal leader. |
♦ Check more: How Many Royal Families Are There in the World
The Full List of Countries That Are Still a Monarchy Today
1. Andorra
Andorra is a landlocked country in Europe that is tucked away in the Pyrenees Mountains between Spain and France. It's interesting that it's a parliamentary monarchy, with Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, and Joan-Enric Vives, a bishop from Spain, serving as co-princes.
Andorra is a fascinating case study in shared governance because this unusual arrangement has been a part of the country's history for centuries.
2. Antigua and Barbuda
The Caribbean Sea is home to the two islands that make up Antigua and Barbuda. King Charles III of the United Kingdom is in charge of this former British colony, which is also a part of the British Commonwealth. The nation now qualifies as a parliamentary democracy.
3. Australia
Despite being an independent nation, Australia is still a part of the British Commonwealth. Thus, it has a parliamentary democracy as its official form of government, and King Charles III of the United Kingdom is the current monarch.
4. The Bahamas
Off the southeast coast of Florida, there is a group of islands that make up the nation of the Bahamas. King Charles III of the United Kingdom is recognized as the country's royal head of state; it is a parliamentary democracy.
5. Bahrain
In a semi-constitutional monarchy, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa governs Bahrain, an island nation in the Persian Gulf. It is well-modernized and rich in oil resources, like other nations in the area.
6. Belgium
Belgium is a parliamentary monarchy that is strategically positioned between the Netherlands, France, and Luxembourg. King Philippe is the head of state at the moment.
The monarchy of Belgium has been an important part of its history, particularly during the World Wars, when it served as a unifying force for its diverse population.
7. Belize
Belize is a nation on Central America's Caribbean coast. It is renowned for its coral reefs and rainforests. Charles III of the United Kingdom is the current monarch of this former British colony.
8. Bhutan
Bhutan, a remote Himalayan nation, is well-known for its Gross National Happiness score. The monarchy is semi-constitutional, and King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is in charge of it. Bhutan's monarchy is intricately entwined with its Buddhist traditions, creating a singular fusion of religion and government.
9. Brunei
Brunei is an oil-rich country that is situated on the island of Borneo. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who is among the richest people in the world, is the absolute monarch of this monarchy. The Sultan is a key figure in both political and religious matters, and Brunei's monarchy is firmly rooted in Islamic customs.
10. Brazil
Brazil has a lengthy royal history, despite not being a traditional monarchy. Emperor Pedro II's descendants, the Brazilian Imperial Family, are still in existence.
Despite the fact that they have no official authority, their presence is a reminder of Brazil's colorful past and the enduring appeal of royalty.
11. Cambodia
Cambodia is a constitutional monarchy and is well-known for its historic temples. The monarchy, which is currently led by King Norodom Sihamoni, is important in maintaining the nation's cultural heritage.
12. Canada
By land area, Canada is the second-largest nation on earth. It now recognizes the British monarchy as its head of state and is a parliamentary democracy. King Charles III is in power right now.
13. Denmark
A constitutional monarchy with a long Viking history and modern cities is Denmark. The Danish royal family continues to play a significant role in defining the identity of the nation by bridging its ancient past with its contemporary present. The current monarch is Queen Margrethe II.
14. Eswatini
Swaziland, Eswatini's previous name, may be familiar to you. In order to reflect the name that is frequently used in the region, the country changed its name in 2018. One of the smallest nations in Africa is this one. It has shared borders with South Africa and Mozambique despite being entirely landlocked. King Mswati III is the absolute monarch of the country.
15. Grenada
Grenada is an island country in the Caribbean that recognizes King Charles III of Great Britain as its head of state. As a result, it has a parliamentary monarchy similar to that of Great Britain.
16. Jamaica
Jamaica, a former British colony, recognizes King Charles III as its head of state, along with many other countries on the Caribbean Islands. Jamaicans have recently discussed overthrowing the king and establishing a republic.
17. Japan
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| Japanese Royal Family |
Japan, one of East Asia's leading nations, is a parliamentary monarchy. Naruhito, the emperor, is in charge. It's interesting to note that some Americans demanded the monarchy's overthrow when Japan was occupied by the US at the end of World War II. It was decided to keep it though because of its stabilizing effect on Japanese society.
18. Jordan
The Middle Eastern nation of Jordan borders Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Israel. Additionally, it has a tiny stretch of Gulf of Aqaba coastline. King Abdullah II currently presides over the semi-constitutional monarchy of Jordan.
19. Kuwait
At the head of the Persian Gulf, Kuwait is a semi-constitutional monarchy with a large oil industry that borders Saudi Arabia and Iraq. It is well-known to Americans as the nation that Iraq invaded in 1990, sparking a global conflict. Kuwait's ruler at the moment is Emir Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
20. Lesotho
Lesotho is a landlocked kingdom in the mountain highlands of Southern Africa. Its territory is completely surrounded by South Africa. A parliamentary monarchy, its current ruler is King Letsie III.
21. Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein is a semi-constitutional monarchy wedged between Austria and Switzerland in the scenic Alps. The ruler is Prince Hans-Adam II.
22. Luxembourg
Luxembourg, like many other European countries, is a parliamentary monarchy. It is located in Northwestern Europe, bordering Belgium, France, and Germany. Its ruler is Grand Duke Henri.
23. Malaysia
With its distinctive rotating monarchy system among nine of its state heads, Malaysia stands out. A new king, known as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, is chosen from among them every five years.
Given that Malaysia's royal structure combines democracy and monarchy, it is truly unique.
24. Monaco
One of the world's smallest and richest nations is Monaco. It is situated on the Riviera, a posh area popular with the rich and famous that stretches along the Mediterranean coast of France and Italy. Albert II is the Prince of Monaco. Prior to her marriage into the royal family, Princess Grace was an American actress by the name of Grace Kelly.
25. Morocco
Morocco is a nation in Northwest Africa that is separated from Spain by the Strait of Gibraltar. Its distinctive culture combines influences from North Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. A semi-constitutional monarchy governs Morocco. King Mohammed VI is in charge of it.
26. Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy and is well known for its picturesque canals, windmills, and tulip fields. 2013 saw the coronation of King Willem-Alexander, beginning a new era for the Dutch royal family.
The royal family is a member of the House of Orange-Nassau, which has played a significant role in Dutch history and culture. Even though it is only symbolic, the monarchy is an important part of national celebrations and stands for the Dutch people's cohesion and rich history.
27. New Zealand
Located southeast of Australia, New Zealand is one of the world's most remote nations. It is heavily influenced by the indigenous Maori tribe's culture. New Zealand is a parliamentary monarchy that recognizes Charles III of the United Kingdom as its King. It was formerly a British colony.
28. Norway
Norway, a constitutional monarchy ruled by King Harald V, is renowned for its breathtaking fjords and northern lights. From the Viking era to the present, the Norwegian monarchy has been a key figure in the history of the country, standing for continuity and unity.
29. Oman
Oman is a country of the Arabian Peninsula bordering Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and the United Arab Emirates. Its government is an absolute monarchy. The current ruler is Sultan Haitham bin Tarik.
30. Papua New Guinea
The island of New Guinea is shared by Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea, a parliamentary monarchy that was formerly ruled by the British Empire, recognizes Charles III of Great Britain as their King.
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31. Portugal
Despite being a republic today, Portugal has a long history of being a monarchy. During the Age of Discovery, the Portuguese monarchy was instrumental in making Portugal a major maritime power.
32. Qatar
The Persian Gulf peninsula where Qatar is situated. With Saudi Arabia, it has a brief shared border. Like its neighbors, Qatar is an oil-rich nation with a semi-constitutional monarchy led by Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
33. Saint Kitts and Nevis
In the Caribbean Sea, Saint Kitts and Nevis are two islands that collectively make up one nation. It is a parliamentary monarchy that belongs to the British Commonwealth and is ruled by King Charles III of the United Kingdom.
34. Saint Lucia
Formerly a British colony in the Caribbean, Saint Lucia is now a sovereign state. It still acknowledges King Charles III of the United Kingdom as its ruler, though. A parliamentary monarchy governs it.
35. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a Caribbean Island nation. As a parliamentary monarchy, its head of state is King Charles III of the United Kingdom.
36. Saudi Arabia
One of the major nations in the Middle East is Saudi Arabia. It is a significant oil supplier to the world and takes up the majority of the Arabian Peninsula. King Salman presides over an absolute monarchy in this country.
37. Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands are located off the southeastern tip of Papua New Guinea in the South Pacific. The country is a parliamentary monarchy under King Charles III of England.
38. Spain
Spain is one of the major European countries that has retained the tradition of a government by monarchy. Today it is a parliamentary monarchy under the rule of King Felipe VI.
39. Sweden
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| Royal Family in Sweden |
Sweden is a constitutional monarchy known for its cutting-edge architecture and extensive forests. Although largely ceremonial, the Swedish royal family continues to hold a special place in the hearts of many Swedes under the reign of King Carl XVI Gustaf.
40. Thailand
Thailand, in Southeast Asia, is one of the few countries in the region never to have been colonized by a European power. A parliamentary monarchy, its King is Rama X.
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41. Tonga
Under King Tupou VI, the South Pacific country of Tonga is a semi-constitutional monarchy. Tonga stands out as one of the few remaining monarchies in the Pacific due to its Polynesian heritage and vibrant culture.
42. Tuvalu
Tuvalu, a nation of islands in the South Pacific, is a parliamentary monarchy that recognizes the British King Charles III as its head of state.
43. United Arab Emirates
In the Persian Gulf, there is a wealthy nation called the United Arab Emirates, or UAE. With the help of its oil wealth, it has expanded its economy and turned into a popular travel destination. There is where Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, is situated. Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the ruler of this federal monarchy with a semblance of a constitution.
44. United Kingdom
The four kingdoms that make up the United Kingdom are Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and England. It once had one of the biggest empires in the entire world. Numerous of its former colonies are still part of the British Commonwealth and acknowledge the monarchy as their own, despite the fact that they are independent and manage their own affairs. Charles III is the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom.
45. Vatican City
A tiny, independent nation called Vatican City is located entirely within the boundaries of Rome. The Roman Catholic Church's administrative and spiritual hub. Although it may seem strange to think of it as a monarchy, it is an absolute monarchy that adheres to the Pope's directives. Francis, the pope, is in charge of the nation.
FAQ
How many royal families are there in 2023?
As of 2024, there are approximately 26 royal families reigning over 45 monarchies around the world.
What countries are still under the royal family?
The United Kingdom, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, Japan, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, Brunei, and many other nations will still be monarchies in 2023.
Who is the new king of 2024?
In 2024, there may be several kings, depending on the nation. King Salman of Saudi Arabia, King Harald of Norway, and King Felipe VI of Spain are a few examples.
It's important to say which king you're asking about if you're referring to a particular country.
Who are the richest royal families?
The richest royal families in 2024 include the House of Saud of Saudi Arabia, the royal family of Brunei, the royal family of Thailand, and the royal family of Morocco. The specific rankings can vary based on various factors, including national wealth, personal assets, and economic conditions.
Does Greece have a royal family?
Yes, there is a royal family in Greece, but they have no ceremonial or official authority over the nation. In 1973, the Greek monarchy was overthrown.
Although the Greek government does not recognize the former King Constantine II and his family, they continue to use their royal titles.
How many royal families are in Europe?
As of 2024, Europe is home to 11 reigning royal families.
Conclusion
As democratic ideals travel around the world, the value of hereditary leadership comes into question. Birthright leadership, according to these critics, is an antiquated idea in a time when meritocracy is prized.
Not all monarchies have a hard time distinguishing between their governing and ceremonial roles. This is especially true of absolute monarchies. Because of the dangers inherent in such a high concentration of power, checks and balances are crucial.
There is still a significant role for monarchies in the future of global governance.
Their unique roles in diplomacy and cultural preservation, as well as their flexibility in the face of change, make them fascinating research subjects.
As we face the challenges of the twenty-first century, these royal institutions serve as a constant reminder of the value of history, heritage, and continuity.
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