There are still many Countries Ruled by Monarch. In most of the world, the era of powerful kings and queens still exists. Royals today enjoy great wealth and celebrity status, but they have little political clout.
The following countries, however, still have monarchs who hold “real” power. Constitutional monarchies entail legal and political decisions being shared by the ruler and an elected government. Even so, there are still a few who control all aspects of their country.
Here is the list of the top 10 Countries Ruled by Monarch.
1. Brunei
Brunei is small enough to escape the notice of most people. Malaysia surrounds this speck of land along the northern coast of Borneo. Brunei’s leader is known as the Sultan. Approximately $20 billion in oil wealth makes up his tiny nation. The sultan, the whose given name is Hassanal Bolkiah, is part of a ruling family, the Bolkiahs, who have been ruling since the early 15th century. As both the president and the prime minister, Bolkiah has the power to move the country in whatever direction he chooses, despite the existence of a constitution and a partially popularly elected legislative body. Recent moves by him to introduce a strict version of Sharia law into this majority Muslim nation have been criticized.
2. Swaziland
Swaziland, a tiny nation and one of the Countries Ruled by Monarch. It is sandwiched between South Africa and Mozambique. Brunei has a dynamic political system. Mswati III, the current king, took the throne at the age of 18 after his father passed away. Many parliament members are directly appointed by the president, though a few are elected by popular vote. He had 15 wives at last count. While he has taken some steps to increase the level of democracy in his country, Swazis as well as human rights groups like Amnesty International have criticized the lack of scope of these reforms.
3. Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Arabian monarchy is one of the most famous monarchies in the world. King Abdullah (Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud) succeeded king Fahd after the death of the latter, his half-brother. Fahd’s poor health in his last years led him to become regent in the mid-1990s. For centuries, the House of Saud dominated large parts of the Arabian Peninsula, though it only gained control in the early 1920s. The Saudi royal succession is partly based on seniority, but any Saudi prince who is seen as a capable leader can be elevated to the top of the line by a committee of Saudi princes. Western-style monarchies, on the other hand, tend to have unbreakable rules regarding succession through seniority.
4. Bhutan
Bhutan’s current king, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, began his reign in 2006. Since the early 20th century, his family has ruled Bhutan. Wangchuck has overseen extensive democratic reforms, which began with his father. Bhutan has transitioned from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy with a democratically elected legislature over the past few years. It is one of the Countries Ruled by Monarch.
In no small part because of his good looks and media-ready personality, Wangchuck is a popular king. In 2011, his wedding was the most-watched media event ever in Bhutan. He regularly makes charity trips to remote villages to give poor peasants land. Additionally, the new constitution of Bhutan allows him to veto laws approved by the parliament as well as appoint members of the country’s judiciary.
5. Monaco
In terms of area, Monaco ranks second among independent countries. The ruling prince, Prince Albert II, has significant political influence in the nation. Albert belongs to the House of Grimaldi, a family that has ruled Monaco on and off for centuries. New laws are introduced by the prince and must be approved by the National Council, which is elected by the people. Monaco’s judicial branch is also under Albert’s control. His father, Rainier III, made Monaco a haven for the wealthy through his tax policies.
6. Bahrain
Bahrain, a tiny peninsula in the Persian Gulf, has been in the international spotlight over the past few years due to violent pro-democracy protests. In 2002, Sheikh Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifa changed his title from “emir” to “king.” He has ruled the country since 1999. Since 1970, Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has been Bahrain’s only prime minister (he is currently the longest-serving prime minister in the world). In a bicameral legislature, one house is directly elected by yours truly and one elects its members. Sheikh Hamad, through his appointees, controls the entire legislative process since all legislation must pass both houses. As well as vetoing government laws, he can change the Constitution. Since 2011, protests have been ongoing in Bahrain.
7. Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein’s Prince Hans-Adam II and Prince Albert of Monaco are among the last surviving European monarchs with political power.
The new monarch-friendly constitution gives him the power to veto laws and appoint judges. As well as choosing the prime minister, the prince chose other government officials. Parliament can also be dissolved by him. Most of Hans-Adam II’s day-to-day duties are handled by his son, Prince Alois. Liechtenstein’s father and son, who are unelected, are both very popular. Three-quarters of voters rejected a referendum in 2012 to limit the prince’s veto power.
8. Vatican City
Even though the monarchy on this list differs from other monarchies. Vatican City, the smallest sovereign state in the world, is a monarchy. This is the only “elective monarchy” in the world, with a college of cardinals electing a pope that rules over the Roman Catholic Church and is also the political head of Vatican City. It is one of the Countries Ruled by Monarch.
Even so, he appoints cardinals to oversee various day-to-day affairs. Vatican City’s laws and practices can changed at any time by the pope. Due to his immense power, many people consider him to be the only absolute monarch still ruling in Europe. While in theory, the pope oversees the political affairs of the Vatican, in practice he appoints others to do so.
9. The United Arab Emirates
Seven different emirates (kingdoms) make up the United Arab Emirates, each with its ruler. The most well-known of the seven emirates are Abu Dhabi, whose monarchs hold the most power. Each emir is a member of the Federal Supreme Council, which is in charge of all affairs in the country. The National Council composed of 40 members, including ministers, advisors, and a 20-member group. Another 20 representatives elected to the National Council, but not by popular vote but by members of an electoral college. To attract investment and tourism, the emirs of Dubai and Abu Dhabi commission massive and ambitious construction projects.
10. Oman
Here’s another nation in the Arabian Peninsula that has a king (officially it’s a sultan). Currently, Oman is ruled by Qaboos bin Said al Said. Overthrowing his father in a palace coup in 1887, he fled to England and died two years later. In recent years, Sultan Qaboos has allowed parliamentary elections for the first time. Oman has enjoyed a reasonable level of prosperity under the Sultan, despite its status as an absolute monarchy. This Arabian Peninsula nation regarded as liberal and open compared to others. Government spending also includes healthcare and education. Many critics have compared Qaboos to a dictator. However, he claims to have more control over his country than any other monarch.
Also Read: 10 Best Countries in the World | List of Countries Rank