United Kingdom: The most prominent European monarchy, with King Charles III as the current head of state.
Spain: King Felipe VI is the reigning monarch.
Sweden: King Carl XVI Gustaf presides over the Swedish monarchy.
Denmark: Queen Margrethe II (though she has announced her abdication in favor of her son, Crown Prince Frederik, effective January 14, 2025) leads the Danish monarchy.
Norway: King Harald V is the current monarch.
Netherlands: King Willem-Alexander is the head of state.
Belgium: King Philippe reigns in Belgium.
Luxembourg: The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is headed by Grand Duke Henri. (While technically a Grand Duchy, the head of state holds monarchical power.)
Liechtenstein: Prince Hans-Adam II is the ruling Prince. (Similar to Luxembourg, a Principality with monarchical rule.)
Monaco: Prince Albert II is the current Sovereign Prince. (Another Principality with monarchical rule.)
Asia’s Enduring Monarchies
Asia hosts a significant number of monarchies, some of which are among the world’s wealthiest and most influential. These range from absolute to constitutional.
Japan: Emperor Naruhito is the symbol of the state in Japan’s constitutional monarchy.
Thailand: King Vajiralongkorn is the reigning monarch.
Bhutan: King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is the head of state.
Cambodia: The King of Cambodia, Norodom Sihamoni, is elected by the Royal Council of the Throne.
Malaysia: Malaysia has a unique system of rotational elective monarchy among its nine state sultans, with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong serving as the head of state for a five-year term.
Saudi Arabia: King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is the absolute monarch of Saudi Arabia.
Oman: Sultan Haitham bin Tariq is the absolute monarch.
United Arab Emirates: The President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is also the Emir of Abu Dhabi and an absolute monarch. The UAE is a federation of seven emirates, each with its own ruler.
Jordan: King Abdullah II is the constitutional monarch.
Bahrain: King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa is the absolute monarch.
Kuwait: The Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, is the absolute monarch.
Qatar: The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, is the absolute monarch.
Africa’s Royal Traditions
While many African nations adopted republican forms of government after decolonization, a few still maintain monarchical traditions, often with deep historical roots.
Morocco: King Mohammed VI is the constitutional monarch.
Eswatini (formerly Swaziland): King Mswati III is an absolute monarch.
Lesotho: King Letsie III is the constitutional monarch.
The Americas: A Single Crown
In the Americas, only a few small nations retain a monarchical system, often as part of the Commonwealth realms.
Canada: King Charles III is the head of state, represented by the Governor General.
Jamaica: King Charles III is the head of state, represented by the Governor General.
The Bahamas: King Charles III is the head of state, represented by the Governor General.
Grenada: King Charles III is the head of state, represented by the Governor General.
Saint Lucia: King Charles III is the head of state, represented by the Governor General.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: King Charles III is the head of state, represented by the Governor General.
Belize: King Charles III is the head of state, represented by the Governor General.
Antigua and Barbuda: King Charles III is the head of state, represented by the Governor General.
Saint Kitts and Nevis: King Charles III is the head of state, represented by the Governor General.
Tuvalu: King Charles III is the head of state, represented by the Governor General.
Papua New Guinea: King Charles III is the head of state, represented by the Governor General.
Note: The Commonwealth realms listed above (Canada, Jamaica, etc.) recognize King Charles III as their sovereign, but their governmental systems are independent.
Oceania’s Royal Ties
Beyond Papua New Guinea and Tuvalu, other Oceania nations also acknowledge the British monarch.
Australia: King Charles III is the head of state, represented by the Governor General.
New Zealand: King Charles III is the head of state, represented by the Governor General.
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