All the Countries in the World That Still Have Monarchies
The U.K. is hardly the only one.
When thinking about modern kings and queens, Elizabeth II is the first that comes to mind. But the longest-reigning monarch is hardly the only one out there in the world—in fact, there are 29 modern monarchies, reigning over 40 countries. Some, like King Salam bin Abdulaziz Al Saud rule absolutely, while others, such as King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, serve more as ambassadors for their country's governments.
Others still aren't even kings or queens, but rather princes reigning over principalities, like Albert II of Monaco or grand dukes over dukedoms, like the one in Luxembourg.
Read on for all the current sovereign heads of state, from the King of Bahrain to the Pope.
King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
Reigns over: Saudi Arabia
Emirati President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan
Reigns Over: The UAE
(He serves as the head of a grouping of monarchies, and while he is technically reelected once every five years, the ruler of Abu Dhabi traditionally holds the position, making it somewhat hereditary)
Druk Gyalpo Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
Reigns Over: Bhutan
Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said
Reigns Over: Oman
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah
Reigns Over: Brunei
King Norodom Sihamoni
Reigns Over: Cambodia
Grand Duke Henri
Reigns over: Luxembourg
(Pictured here with Countess Stephanie de Lannoy.)
King Philippe
Reigns over: Belgium
(Pictured here with Queen Mathilde.)
King Mswati III
Reigns over: Swaziland
Emmanuel Macron
Reigns over: Andorra
In addition to being the president of france, Macron is the co-Prince of Andorra, a 180-square mile Catalan-speaking region in the Pyrenees. He shares the title with the Spanish Bishop of Urgell (currently Joan Enric Vives Sicília).
For more information on the origins of this curious monarchy, click here.
King Letsie III
Reigns over: Lesotho
King Willem-Alexander
Reigns over: the Netherlands
(Pictured here with Queen Máxima.)
King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa
Reigns over: Bahrain
Emperor Akihito
Reigns over: Japan
King Felipe VI
Reigns over: Spain
King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun
Reigns over: Thailand
Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani
Reigns over: Qatar
Queen Margrethe II
Reigns over: Denmark
King Abdullah II
Reigns over: Jordan
As the digital director for Town & Country, Caroline Hallemann covers culture, entertainment, and a range of other subjects
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