Top 10 Monarchs and Queens of the Modern Era

Felipe VI is the King of Spain. He is the son of the former King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía, and has two sisters: Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo, and Infanta Cristina. According to the Spanish Constitution, as king, he is the head of state, the supreme commander of the Spanish Armed Forces with the rank of general, and represents Spain in international relations. Felipe ascended the throne on June 19, 2014, after his father abdicated. His reign has been marked by the dissolution of the Spanish Parliament in 2016 (to hold new elections), a strong condemnation of the Catalonian independence referendum, the COVID-19 pandemic, and a push towards greater transparency in royal matters. A 2021 study concluded that left-wing Spaniards remain deeply distrustful of the monarchy, believing that Felipe VI has fallen short of expectations for political neutrality. Besides his official duties, Felipe serves as the honorary president of several associations and foundations, such as the Codespa Foundation, which funds economic and social development in Ibero-America and other countries.

Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is the King of Saudi Arabia, reigning since 2015. He also held the position of Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia from 2015 to 2022. The 25th son of King Abdulaziz, the founder of Saudi Arabia, he ascended to the throne on January 23, 2015. King Salman is the third oldest reigning head of state and the longest-serving living monarch. He served as the deputy governor and then the governor of Riyadh for 48 years, from 1963 to 2011. Following that, he was appointed as Minister of Defense and was made the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia in 2012. Salman officially became the King of Saudi Arabia in 2015, after the death of his half-brother, King Abdullah.

King Salman also made several foreign trips during his tenure as governor. His major policies as king include Saudi Arabia's intervention in the Yemen Civil War, the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative, and a royal decree in 2017 that allowed Saudi women to drive. One of the first moves he and his son, Mohammed bin Salman, made was to streamline the government bureaucracy. His son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is considered the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, due to King Salman's declining health and his own political maneuvering.

Harald was the first prince born in Norway after 567 years. Crown Prince Olav and Princess Märtha also had two daughters, Princess Ragnhild and Princess Astrid, both of whom were born before the Crown Prince. At that time, the 1814 Norwegian Constitution stated that only male heirs could inherit the throne. Therefore, the birth of Prince Harald secured the succession. King Harald holds the rank of General in the Army and Air Force, and Admiral in the Navy. He is the highest-ranking officer in the country. The Constitution was amended in 1990, allowing the eldest child of the Norwegian royal family, regardless of gender, to inherit the throne.

Since the parliamentary system was established in 1884, the King’s official duties have been mainly ceremonial, serving as the guardian of royal traditions. King Harald leads the State Council meetings on Fridays and formally opens the annual session of the Storting every October. No law or decision passed by the State Council becomes effective until it is approved by the King and countersigned by the Prime Minister. The King plays an essential role in the process of government transitions. Usually, a retiring Prime Minister consults with the King on who should assume the role of the new Prime Minister.

Margrethe II has been the Queen of Denmark for over 50 years, making her the longest-reigning head of state in Europe. Known for her strong passion for archaeology, she has participated in various excavations in Italy, Egypt, Denmark, and South America. By 2022, Queen Margrethe had completed 42 official state visits and had personally undertaken 55 foreign state visits.

When she was born, only male heirs could inherit the throne of Denmark. As there were no male siblings, it was assumed that her uncle, Prince Knud, would eventually become king. However, Princess Margrethe officially became the heir to the throne in 1953 when a constitutional amendment allowed women to inherit the throne. Margrethe succeeded her father after his death on January 14, 1972. Upon her ascension, she became the first female monarch of Denmark since Margrethe I, who ruled the Scandinavian kingdoms in the Kalmar Union from 1375 to 1412. Support for the monarchy in Denmark has consistently remained high at about 82%, as has the popularity of Queen Margrethe herself.

Bhutan was founded by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, who unified the country into a religious state in 1616. King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk is the fifth monarch of Bhutan and holds the distinction of being the youngest head of state in the world, succeeding his father, King Jigme Singye Wangchuk. On December 14, 2006, King Jigme Singye Wangchuk made an unexpected announcement of his abdication, transferring the throne to Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk. The official coronation of the fifth king took place in 2008, marking a significant milestone as it celebrated 100 years of monarchy in Bhutan.

Under the reign of King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk, he has overseen the implementation of Bhutan's Constitution, granting his people the democracy his father had longed for. After his coronation, the King launched the groundbreaking National Land Survey in March 2009, focusing on improving the lives of people in remote areas of Bhutan. In 2011, he established the Kidu Fund, which provides support to children, the elderly, disabled individuals, and those suffering from illness. The Kidu Fund collaborates with government initiatives to address key issues in education, the rule of law, democracy and media, sustainable economic development, and the preservation of the country's cultural and environmental heritage.

Qatar has been ruled by eight rulers, all of whom belong to the Al Thani family. Sheikh Mohammed bin Thani is recognized as the first ruler since 1851 when he united the tribes of the nation under his leadership. Qatar gained independence on September 3, 1971, and since then, the ruler has been titled Emir (Amir). The country's permanent constitution, proclaimed in 2005, states that the throne is passed down through the direct descendants of Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

Currently, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani serves as the Emir of Qatar. He became the heir apparent on August 5, 2003, when his brother Sheikh Jassim renounced his claim to the title. Sheikh Tamim is the head of state and the national leader, also holding the title of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and the guarantor of the Constitution. As the most powerful individual in the country, he plays a key role in foreign relations. The Emir belongs to the Al Thani family, which hails from Bani Tamim, one of the largest tribes on the Arabian Peninsula. Sheikh Tamim has played a pivotal role in enhancing Qatar's international standing through hosting sporting events and acquiring Paris Saint-Germain FC.

Mohammed VI is the King of Morocco. He belongs to the Alawite dynasty and ascended the throne on July 23, 1999, following the death of his father, King Hassan II. Upon his coronation, Mohammed initiated several reforms and changes to the royal family's code, granting more power to women. According to the constitution, he is also known as Amir Al-Mu'minun, or Commander of the Faithful, thereby combining both religious and political authority. King Mohammed VI is praised for his domestic reforms and pioneering efforts to modernize Morocco while combating terrorism.

King Mohammed VI has tackled issues like poverty, vulnerability, and social exclusion within the country, while simultaneously improving foreign relations. He influences the network of Muslims adhering to the Maliki school of Islamic jurisprudence and stands as one of the leading monarchs in Africa. Mohammed has significant business stakes in various economic sectors within Morocco. His net worth is estimated to range from 2.1 billion USD to over 8.2 billion USD, and according to Forbes, he is the wealthiest king in Africa and the fifth wealthiest in the continent. The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre has ranked him as the seventh most influential Muslim worldwide in 2022.

King Charles III, formerly known as Prince Charles, with his full name Charles Philip Arthur George, Prince of Wales, Earl of Chester, Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, and Baron Renfrew, Lord of the Isles, Prince and Great Steward of Scotland, became the King of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland on September 8, 2022. He is the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The King has two children, Prince William and Prince Harry, and five grandchildren. Prince William is the next in line to the throne.

At 73 years old, Charles became the oldest monarch to ascend the throne in a ceremony at St. James's Palace near Buckingham Palace, making him the longest-serving heir apparent in British history. King Charles III is also the first British monarch heir to hold a bachelor's degree, having studied archaeology, anthropology, and ultimately history at Trinity College, Cambridge, from 1967 to 1970. As the longest-serving Prince of Wales, Charles has spearheaded several charitable initiatives over the years, with a particular focus on global sustainability.

King Carl XVI Gustaf grew up as the only son and youngest child in a family of five siblings. His father, Prince Gustaf Adolf, tragically died in a plane crash at Kastrup airport in 1947. At the time, Carl Gustaf was only 9 months old. Carl Gustaf swore his royal oath in 1973 at the age of 27, succeeding his grandfather, King Gustav VI Adolf. As a result, he has ruled longer than any other Swedish monarch. Today, Sweden follows a constitutional monarchy, and King Carl XVI Gustaf’s role as monarch is largely symbolic, serving as a unifying figure for the country.

Sweden is known as one of the world’s most democratic, equal, and stable nations, with a monarchy that is deeply rooted and widely supported by the public. As the head of state, King Carl XVI Gustaf represents Sweden as its foremost unifying symbol. According to the 1974 constitution, the monarch has no political power and serves without any official authority. The King’s duties are primarily ceremonial and representational. He is also deeply committed to environmental and natural issues, serving as the President of the World Wildlife Fund and as Honorary Chairman of the World Scout Organization. The line of succession was amended in 1980, allowing his eldest child, Princess Victoria, to inherit the throne. Princess Victoria currently acts as the representative of the King in his absence, such as during his foreign travels.

King Mswati III is the monarch of Swaziland and the head of the Swazi Royal Family. In 1986, he succeeded his father, Sobhuza II, to become the ruler of the southern African kingdom. He is often regarded as an absolute monarch, as he holds the power to appoint the country's Prime Minister, members of the government cabinet, and the judicial authorities. However, he is to some extent constrained by Swazi traditions and does not have the liberty to choose his successor. Mswati was introduced as the crown prince in September 1983 and ascended to the throne on April 25, 1986, at the age of 18 and 6 days, making him one of the youngest reigning monarchs at the close of the 20th century.

Today, King Mswati III remains the last absolute monarch in Africa, possessing the authority to appoint the prime minister, other high-ranking government officials, and traditional leaders. Although he exercises this authority, he still seeks advice from the Queen Mother and council, particularly when selecting the prime minister. When it comes to cabinet appointments, he receives counsel from the prime minister. He governs by decree but has reinstated the national Parliament, a body his father had dissolved to maintain concentrated power in the hands of the king. The parliamentarians, whom he appoints (two-thirds of the senators and ten members of the lower house), are either chosen by him or elected by traditional leaders loyal to the monarchy.