For centuries, before the rise of parliamentary democracies in the late eighteenth century, it was normal for a country to be ruled by a royal family, whose title passed from generation to generation, with a new king, queen, or emperor taking power after the death or abdication of his or her predecessor. Today, many countries around the world are still ruled by monarchies. Some are constitutional monarchies, where the monarch’s power is regulated by a parliament; others are absolute monarchies, where one person rules by decree. Here is a look at twenty reigning monarchs and how they influence their countries today.
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Queen Elizabeth II)
Queen Elizabeth II, born in 1926 and proclaimed in 1952, is the world’s longest-reigning monarch. Fourteen British prime ministers have served during her reign, and she has overseen the independence of many of Britain’s overseas colonies as well as the country’s entry into—and exit from—the European Union. She remains the queen of several former British colonies and dominions, including Canada and Australia. Despite the sweeping changes in Britain and the world over the past six decades, the Queen’s personal popularity remains high.
Saudi Arabia (King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud)
King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud of Saudi Arabia is head of the world’s most powerful absolute monarchy, exercising control over the oil-rich desert kingdom. Salman became king in 2015 at age seventy-nine after the death of his ninety-year-old half-brother, King Abdullah. Salman's reign has brought about many changes, notably as a result of the power exercised by his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman—the country's de facto ruler who has cracked down on critical intellectuals and activists and pursued a war in Yemen that has led to a humanitarian crisis.
Morocco (King Mohammed VI)
King Mohammed VI of Morocco ascended to the throne in 1999 after the death of his father, King Hassan II. Throughout his reign, King Mohammed has walked a fine line between conservatism and modernization. He is widely credited with holding off a revolution in Morocco during the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings with a series of reforms, including promising to appoint a prime minister from the party with the most seats in Parliament.
Spain (King Felipe VI)
Felipe VI became king of Spain after the abdication of his father, the popular King Juan Carlos, in June 2014. Prior to becoming king, Felipe often represented Spain abroad, traveling to more than two hundred countries. He trained as a naval officer and even competed in sailing at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, finishing sixth. Although King Felipe intervenes little in day-to-day governance, he is the nominal head of state and guardian of the country’s constitution.
The Netherlands (King Willem-Alexander)
When King Willem-Alexander was crowned in 2013, he was the first king of the Netherlands in more than a century. From 1890 to 2013, when Willem-Alexander’s mother Queen Beatrix abdicated, the country had had only queens; the Dutch national holiday was changed from Queen’s Day to King’s Day upon his accession. Although the king’s governing powers are entirely symbolic, the monarch’s annual birthday celebration gives everyone in Holland the chance to dress up in orange clothing in honor of the royal family, which is known as the House of Orange.
Japan (Emperor Naruhito)
Emperor Naruhito of Japan is the current representative of a royal bloodline that goes back more than 2,600 years. He acceded to the throne in 2019 after the abdication of his father, Emperor Akihito, thus marking the beginning of the Reiwa era. Japan is believed to have the oldest hereditary monarchy in the world, although the role of emperor became purely symbolic after the Second World War.
Jordan (King Abdullah II)
King Abdullah of Jordan was crowned in 1999, replacing his father, King Hussein, who had reigned for nearly fifty years. He is a member of the Hashemite dynasty, direct descendants of the Prophet Muhammad, founder of the Islamic faith. As king, Abdullah has promoted economic and social modernization in Jordan, but has faced protests over continued high unemployment and the rising cost of living. Outside his royal duties, the king is said to be an avid Star Trek fan—he made a cameo appearance in one episode of the series in 1996.
Monaco (Prince Albert II)
Prince Albert II of Monaco rules over one of the world’s smallest states—just under one square mile of territory nestled between France and Italy. The prince, born in 1958, is the son of Prince Rainier and American actress Grace Kelly. He made headlines in 2011 when he too decided to marry a commoner, South African Olympic swimmer Charlene Wittstock. The prince and his family regularly attract the attention of European tabloids.
Denmark (Queen Margrethe II)
Queen Margrethe of Denmark was born in 1940, at a time when only men could ascend to the Danish throne, and a constitutional amendment was needed to allow her to reign. She was crowned in 1972. Queen Margrethe speaks five languages and studied philosophy, archaeology, and political science at various universities in Europe. One of her primary royal duties is diplomacy: representing the Danish government abroad and receiving visiting dignitaries at home. In domestic politics, the queen remains strictly nonpartisan.
Norway (King Harald V)
King Harald V of Norway was born in 1937. He is the latest representative of a royal bloodline that stretches back to Viking times, although current Norwegian kings have few powers. Before becoming king in 1991, Harald represented Norway in sailing at three Olympic Games.
Sweden (King Carl XVI Gustaf)
The current king of Sweden, Carl XVI Gustaf, was born in 1946. He became king in 1973 upon the death of his grandfather, King Gustaf VI Adolf. The king’s personal motto is “For Sweden—with the times.” In 1974, a new law stripped the king of the power to command the military or appoint a prime minister. One of his primary roles now is diplomatic, receiving state visits from foreign dignitaries and representing Sweden abroad. He is perhaps best known outside Sweden as the presenter of the annual Nobel Prizes.
Brunei (Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah)
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei is one of the world’s wealthiest people. In addition to his royal title, the sultan is also prime minister of his small nation in Southeast Asia. He is known for his lavish lifestyle, having spent billions on luxury items such as yachts and cars, and was the subject of widespread condemnation in 2019 when he introduced legislation that would make homosexuality punishable by death.
Qatar (Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani)
When the 2022 FIFA World Cup kicks off in Qatar, the country’s ruler, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani, will briefly become one of the world’s most visible monarchs. Born in 1980, the emir is also one of the world’s youngest reigning monarchs. An avid sports fan, he gained acclaim at home for bringing the World Cup to Qatar, but the country has since been widely condemned for failing to protect migrant workers on World Cup building sites, thousands of whom have died.
Belgium (King Philippe)
King Philippe became the seventh King of the Belgians (his official title) in July 2013 after his father abdicated. Part of the Belgian king’s role includes appointing mediators to negotiate the formation of a government after each Belgian election, a process that can take more than a year and involve more than a dozen political parties. Although support for the monarchy in Belgium has dipped in recent years, it is seen as an important symbol of national unity in a country divided along linguistic, religious, and political lines.
Eswatini (King Mswati III)
King Mswati III of Eswatini rules over the last absolute monarchy in Africa, and one of the last in the world. He was born in 1968 and became king in 1986 at the age of eighteen. At the time he was crowned, he was the world’s youngest reigning monarch. Although technically an absolute ruler, in practice, Mswati rules the Southern African country jointly with his mother. Traditionally, Swazi kings are polygamous, and Mswati is said to have fathered thirty children with fifteen different wives.
Bhutan (King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck)
The current king of the Himalayan mountain nation of Bhutan ascended to the throne in 2006. In Bhutan, he is known as the Druk Gyalpo, or Dragon King. At the opening of a 2011 session of Parliament, he formally announced his engagement; he and his bride, Jetsun Pema, were married in a traditional Buddhist ceremony later that year. However, when Crown Prince Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck was born in 2016, the royal couple bypassed tradition and announced the birth on Facebook.
Cambodia (King Norodom Sihamoni)
Political instability in Cambodia through much of the late twentieth century meant an eventful childhood for future King Norodom Sihamoni, born in 1953. He was educated in the Czech Republic, where he became a classical dance instructor. He later studied filmmaking in North Korea and taught ballet in France. In 2004, Sihamoni became king following the abdication of his father, King Norodom Sihanouk.
Luxembourg (Grand Duke Henri)
Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg was born in 1955 and officially received his title in 2000. His royal duties are largely symbolic. He is a member of the International Olympic Committee and active in the Charles Darwin Trust, a fund established to preserve biodiversity in the Galapagos Islands.
Liechtenstein (Prince Hans-Adam II)
Prince Hans-Adam II of Liechtenstein was born in 1945 and formally became head of state in 1989. During his reign, his relations with the country's parliament were tense, and a 2003 referendum resulted in him gaining more powers. In 2004, his son, Crown Prince Alois, took over day-to-day governing duties.
Tonga (King Tupou VI)
Tupou VI became king of the South Pacific island nation of Tonga in 2012 after the death of his brother, King George Tupou V, but was not formally crowned until 2015. The country's monarchy dates back more than 1,000 years.
Ruby Pratka, Espresso
___________________________
0 facebook:
Post a Comment