Far from being relegated to the history books, royal institutions continue to flourish in forty-three nations worldwide, representing nearly a quarter of all countries. These modern monarchies, however, exist in two distinctly different forms that reveal much about contemporary attitudes towards power, tradition, and governance.
The ceremonial crown: Europe’s symbolic monarchies
European monarchies have evolved into something quite different from their historical predecessors. Rather than wielding absolute power, today’s European royals function as national symbols, embodying continuity and tradition whilst operating within democratic frameworks. Their role has transformed from that of ruler to figurehead, from sovereign to ceremonial head of state.
The British monarchy exemplifies this transformation most dramatically. King Charles III inherited not merely the throne of the United Kingdom, but the symbolic leadership of fifteen separate nations spanning multiple continents. This unprecedented arrangement sees one individual serving as head of state for countries as diverse as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and several Caribbean nations. The late Queen Elizabeth II’s seventy-year reign demonstrated the longevity possible within such systems, outlasting numerous political administrations and becoming a constant in an ever-changing world.
This monarchical commonwealth represents an empire reimagined for the modern age, where historical ties are maintained through shared symbolism rather than direct governance. The arrangement allows former colonies to retain constitutional links whilst exercising full democratic autonomy, creating a unique hybrid of imperial legacy and contemporary sovereignty.
Recent trends suggest that European monarchs increasingly view their role through a modern lens, with several choosing to abdicate rather than reign until death. Spain, the Netherlands, and Denmark have all witnessed peaceful transitions as ageing monarchs voluntarily stepped aside, treating their position more like a demanding career than a divine appointment. Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II particularly surprised observers by announcing her abdication on live television after fifty-two years of service.
Perhaps the most unusual constitutional arrangement exists in Andorra, where two foreign nationals serve as co-monarchs. The President of France and a Spanish bishop share this role by virtue of their other offices, creating a situation where neither monarch is actually Andorran. This extraordinary setup, where Emmanuel Macron simultaneously serves as both an elected president and an unelected prince, illustrates the sometimes surreal nature of modern monarchical arrangements.
The Vatican presents Europe’s sole remaining absolute monarchy, where Pope Leo XIV exercises complete executive, legislative, and judicial authority over Vatican City. This theocratic state operates without the checks and balances typical of modern governance, demonstrating that absolute monarchy, whilst rare in Europe, has not entirely disappeared.
The wealth behind the crown
Despite their limited political power, European monarchs maintain substantial personal wealth that often raises questions about inequality and public funding. King Charles III commands a personal fortune of $2.4 billion, whilst Prince Hans-Adam II of Liechtenstein commands even greater resources with $4.7 billion. Much of this wealth derives from inherited estates, investment portfolios, and, controversially, taxpayer contributions.
The British Royal Family’s internal designation as “The Firm” reflects their understanding of monarchy as both institution and brand. This corporate approach to royalty generates revenue through various channels whilst maintaining the mystique essential to their continued relevance. Public opinion polls consistently show strong support for these institutions, with eighty per cent of Danes expressing satisfaction with their royal family, suggesting that concerns about inherited privilege are often outweighed by appreciation for tradition and continuity.
Royal influence in the digital age
Contemporary monarchs have embraced social media with varying degrees of success, transforming how royal authority manifests in the twenty-first century. Queen Rania of Jordan exemplifies this new approach, maintaining over ten million social media followers whilst advocating for women’s rights and social causes. Her online presence exceeds Jordan’s entire population, demonstrating how digital platforms can amplify royal influence beyond traditional boundaries.
The Dubai royal family’s Instagram presence resembles a luxury lifestyle magazine, showcasing private jets, exotic animals in first-class seating, and automotive collections worth more than many national budgets. This ostentatious display of wealth serves both to reinforce status and to project power in an age where influence is increasingly measured in followers and engagement.
Conversely, Bhutan’s royal couple has cultivated an image of environmental consciousness and spiritual simplicity, living in a modest royal residence equipped with solar panels. As the world’s youngest reigning monarchs, they represent an alternative model where royal authority derives from moral leadership rather than material excess.
Scandal and accountability
Modern monarchy’s relationship with public scrutiny remains complex and often controversial. Prince Andrew’s withdrawal from public duties following his association with Jeffrey Epstein demonstrated that even royal status cannot shield individuals from serious allegations. His nickname “Air Miles Andy” had already established him as a problematic figure, and the Epstein scandal forced the monarchy to prioritise institutional preservation over individual protection.
Spain’s former King Juan Carlos I provides another cautionary tale, fleeing the country amid investigations into offshore accounts and questionable financial arrangements. Once celebrated as democracy’s champion, his exile illustrates how quickly royal reputations can collapse when faced with modern standards of transparency and accountability.
Thailand presents an extreme case where criticism of the royal family remains punishable by fifteen years’ imprisonment. Nevertheless, young protesters in 2020 courageously demanded reform and transparency, suggesting that even the most protected monarchies face pressure for modernisation and accountability.
The absolute monarchies: Power without pretence
Moving beyond Europe’s ceremonial systems, absolute monarchies in Asia and particularly West Asia operate under entirely different principles. Here, monarchs wield genuine political authority, making decisions that directly shape national policy, economic direction, and social development. These systems dispense with democratic niceties, presenting power in its most direct and uncompromising form.
Saudi Arabia exemplifies absolute monarchy in its purest contemporary form, where the king’s word carries the force of law without meaningful institutional constraints. The 1992 Basic Law ostensibly provides governmental structure but reserves ultimate authority for the royal family. This system combines traditional autocracy with modern communication tools, creating a uniquely contemporary form of absolute rule.
Kuwait offers a slight variation with its elected parliament and public debates, yet the royal family retains decisive veto power over all significant decisions. The United Arab Emirates presents an even more complex arrangement, functioning as a federal monarchy where seven different royal families govern their respective emirates whilst coordinating national policy.
Wealth beyond comprehension
The financial resources commanded by absolute monarchs dwarf even their European counterparts. Thailand’s King Rama X controls wealth estimated between $40-58 billion, surpassing many of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs. Unlike European royals, whose wealth often serves symbolic purposes, absolute monarchs deploy their resources to maintain political control, influence media coverage, and ensure military loyalty.
The House of Saud, comprising over 15,000 family members, collectively controls wealth exceeding $1.9 trillion, surpassing Australia’s entire economic output. This extraordinary concentration of resources enables the family to influence global markets, fund massive development projects, and maintain the extensive patronage networks essential to their continued rule.
Qatar’s royal family demonstrates how small nations can achieve outsized global influence through strategic wealth deployment. From hosting the FIFA World Cup to owning prestigious international properties and sports franchises, the Al Thanis have transformed their emirate into a global brand whilst maintaining absolute domestic control.
Corporate monarchy
Modern absolute monarchs increasingly function as chief executives of vast state-business enterprises. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia simultaneously serves as the kingdom’s de facto leader and chairman of Saudi Aramco, the world’s most profitable company. His Vision 2030 programme, including the futuristic $8.8 trillion Neom project, demonstrates how absolute monarchs can implement transformative policies without democratic consultation or opposition.
The UAE’s Mohammed bin Zayed operates more like a venture capitalist than a traditional monarch, directing sovereign wealth funds towards cutting-edge technologies and strategic global investments. This approach transforms monarchy from hereditary rulership into dynamic economic stewardship, albeit without democratic accountability.
The fortress of secrecy
Absolute monarchies maintain their authority partly through information control that would be impossible in democratic societies. Unlike European royals who live under constant media scrutiny, Gulf monarchs exercise near-complete control over their public image. Royal succession in Oman remained secret until Sultan Qaboos’s death revealed his chosen heir through a sealed envelope, illustrating the opacity surrounding these systems.
This secrecy extends to lifestyle and travel arrangements that emphasise absolute authority. When Saudi King Salman visited Moscow with a golden escalator for his aircraft exit, the display served both practical and symbolic purposes. Such demonstrations of wealth and power reinforce hierarchy whilst maintaining the mystique essential to absolute rule.
The persistence of inherited power
The continued existence of both ceremonial and absolute monarchies raises profound questions about contemporary attitudes towards democracy, equality, and governance. European constitutional monarchies maintain democratic legitimacy whilst preserving hereditary privilege, creating systems that appear egalitarian whilst institutionalising inequality. Absolute monarchies abandon democratic pretensions entirely, presenting power as inheritance rather than mandate.
Fourteen nations continue recognising King Charles III as their head of state, despite having achieved full independence and democratic governance. While Barbados severed these ties in 2021, other nations maintain the connection through tradition, convenience, or genuine affection for the institution. This persistence suggests that pure democracy remains rarer than commonly assumed, with most nations blending electoral systems with traditional authority structures.
The endurance of monarchy in its various forms reveals something fundamental about human societies’ relationship with power, tradition, and identity. Whether manifested through ceremonial pageantry or absolute authority, these institutions continue adapting to contemporary circumstances whilst maintaining their essential character. Their survival suggests that the appeal of inherited leadership, whether symbolic or substantive, transcends rational democratic principles.
As long as crowns continue appearing on currency, in media coverage, and across social platforms, the age of monarchy shows no signs of ending. Instead, these ancient institutions demonstrate remarkable adaptability, reinventing themselves for each generation whilst preserving the fundamental mystique that has sustained them across centuries. In examining modern monarchy, we observe not merely anachronistic survivors, but dynamic institutions that reflect their societies’ deepest values and contradictions about power, equality, and legitimacy.
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