Political Science

In dubio pro libertate

 

Existing World Monarchies, 29

 


Europe, 11

 

Belgium

Parliamentary democracy under constitutional monarchy

King Albert II (since 1993-)

 

Denmark

Constitutional monarchy

 Queen Margrethe II (since 1972)

 

 

Great Britain

Constitutional monarchy

Queen Elizabeth II (since 1952-)

 Official Government Website = http://www.open.gov.uk/cctagis/central.htm

The Official Web Site of HRH The Prince of Wales

Who will succeed the Queen? Find the answer on Aaron's Royalty Research Project

 

Liechtenstein

Hereditary constitutional monarchy

Prince Hans Adam II (since 1989)

 

 

 

Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of

Constitutional monarchy

  H.R.H. Grand Duke Jean (since 1964- )

 

Other: http://www.netwiz.net/~obrienm/lineage/luxemburg.html / National Symbols / Luxembourg Sovereigns since 963 / Selection of Facts and Trivia about the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg /Genealogy and Heraldry in Luxembourg  

 

 

Monaco, Principality of

Smallest monarchy of the world

Prince Albert (2005 'til present, ruling prince number 34) - he succeeded : his father Prince Rainier III , 1949 - 2005 (SIC), more than 50 years on the throne. Rainier III  died in April 2005) 

 

Monaco, picture of palace

Many pictures of Photos of Princess Grace and Fuerst Rainier has Brigitte Gastel Lloyd on her pages...

 

 

 

Netherlands

Queen Beatrix (since 1980-) 

Her husband Prince Claus passed away in October 2002.

 

 

 

Norway

  Hereditary constitutional monarchy.

King Harald V (since 1991-) Official royal websiteis at http://www.kongehuset.no

Other info on Royal Family: http://www.randburg.com/no/general/general_21.html

 

 

 

Spain

Constitutional monarchy

King Juan Carlos I ( since 1975- )

 

 

Sweden

Constitutional monarchy

King Carl XVI Gustaf (since 1973-)  

 Royal Lineages of Sweden

 

Vatican

Elective monarchy

Josef Ratzinger

 

 

 

 

  Africa, 3

 

Morocco 

Constitutional monarchy

(Sa majesté le Roi) King Mohammed VI

[King Hassan II  (1961-1999)]

Morocco is one of the oldest monarchies in the world. King Hassan II was one of the world's longest-reigning monarchs.

 

Lesotho

King Letsie III (since 1996)  Military regime and constitutional monarchy

Swaziland King Mswati III (since 1986) Monarchy

The king is the last absolute monarch in Africa, it is said that he has 11 wives.

 

Swaziland

King Mswati III who is polygamous (13 wives)

 

 

 

Middle East, 7

 

Bahrain

Traditional monarchy

Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa

Bahrein is home to the biggest American naval base in the Gulf region.

 

Jordan

Constitutional monarchy

HRM Abdallah (II) ibn al-Hussein al-Hashimi (since 7 Feb 1999) 

Queen Rania, at 29 the youngest queen in the world. Born in Kuweit, Western education, married 1993, two children (June 2000)

 

Kuwait

Constitutional monarchy

Sheik Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah (since 1977)

Monarchy is run like a family business!

 

Oman, Sultanate of  

Absolute monarchy

Sayyid Qaboos ibn Said Al 'Bu Saidi (since 1970)  

See also: OMAN STUDIES CENTRE for Documentation and Research on Oman and the Arabian Gulf

 

Qatar

Traditional emirate

Sheik Khalifa bin Hamad al-Thani (since 1972 )

Other: http://cnn.com/WORLD/meast/9903/07/BC-QATAR-ELECTION.reut/index.html

 

 

Saudi Arabia

King Abdullah Ibn Abd al-Asis, a half brother of King Fahd (August 2005 until ?) (the new king is already 81 years old)

Crown Prince: Sultan , born 1927 

The law of the country requires that the sons and grandsons of the county's founder Abd al Asis must serve as king. The royal family consists of about 5,000 male members, the inner power circle has 42 members.

Saudi Arabia is the world's largest oil producer and exporter. For civilized human beings Saudi Arabia's executions, usually carried out with a sword in public, seem cruel. The kingdom's Islamic courts impose death sentences for murder, rape, drug trafficking and armed robbery.

Monarchy based on Islamic law with council of ministers

 

 

United Arab Emirates

Federation of emirates

Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahayan, (since 1971)

 

 

 

 

Asia, 6

 Bhutan

Constitutional monarchy

Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, born Feb. 21, 1980, as the oldest of ten children, studied at the Magdalen College of Oxford University (UK). Crowned November 6, 2008; he is the 5th King of Bhutan

Gov.

 

 

Brunei Darussalam

Independent sultanate

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah (since 1967)

 

 

Cambodia

King Norodom   SIHAMONI  (2004 'til present), [son of  King Preah Baht Samdach Preah Norodom Sihanuk Varman (1993 - 2004)]

Kingdom of Cambodia (since September 24, 1993) State of Cambodia (1989-1993) , People's Republic of Kampuchea (1979-1989), Democratic Kampuchea (1975-1979) , Khmer Republic (1970-1975), Kingdom of Cambodia (1953-1970)). It is a constitutional monarchy. The principal religion is Theravada Buddhism. Capital: Phnom Penh, estimated population 1.1 million. The King || The Royal Family/ The Royal Crest ||

More info on Cambodia...

 

 

Japan 

The world´s oldest monarchy. His Imperial Majesty AKIHITO, the 125th Emperor of Japan, (since 1989) Parliamentary democracy. Current controversy: if a female successor can become empress. It came to a hold (ad acta) when princess Kiko gave birth to a sun in September 2006.

Prime Minister

 

 

 

Malaysia

Federal parliamentary democracy with constitutional monarch

Tuanku Salehuddin Abdul Aziz Shah ibni al-Marhum Hisamuddin Alam Shah (since 26 Apr 1999)

 

Thailand

Constitutional monarchy

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej (since 1946)

Biography

 

 

Oceania, 2

Tonga

Constitutional monarchy 

King George Tupou V (Sept. 2006 - )

 

Western Somoa

Constitutional monarchy 

King Malietoa Tanumafili II (since 1962)