Royal Families: A Complete Guide to the World’s Monarchies

There’s something about royal families that captures the imagination — the titles, the ceremonies, the centuries-old traditions. But behind the crowns and castle walls, modern monarchies are balancing reverence with the demands of transparency and fiscal accountability.

“The correct first formal address to the King is ‘Your Majesty’ and afterward ‘Sir’.”

Number of sovereign monarchies worldwide: 44 · Number of royal families in Europe: 10 · Richest royal family (estimated net worth): Saudi royal family, over $1.4 trillion · Oldest continuous royal family: Japanese imperial family, since 660 BC · Most recent monarchy established: Bhutan, 1907

The table below summarises the key figures that frame the global monarchy landscape.

How Many Royal Families Are There?

What defines a royal family?

• A royal family is the immediate family of a reigning monarch — typically a king or queen — and often includes extended relatives (Wikipedia, community-edited encyclopedia).
• The term applies across constitutional and absolute monarchies, with roles varying from ceremonial to powerful.

The line between “royal family” and “princely house” can blur. Some countries, like Monaco and Liechtenstein, have reigning princes whose families are considered royal. In contrast, the United Kingdom’s royal family includes not only the sovereign and heir but also the monarch’s children, grandchildren, and their spouses — a group that can exceed 20 members.

How many royal families are there in Europe?

Europe is home to 10 royal families: the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Luxembourg, Monaco, and Liechtenstein (Britannica, reference encyclopedia). All except Liechtenstein and Monaco operate as constitutional monarchies where the monarch’s role is largely ceremonial.

The pattern: a handful of small states keep their royals close to government, while larger kingdoms have long since transferred political power to elected parliaments.

Which countries have a royal family?

• 44 sovereign states currently have a monarch as head of state (2025).
• Of these, 43 are constitutional monarchies where the monarch fulfills ceremonial duties.
• Only 6 absolute monarchies remain — Oman, Saudi Arabia, Eswatini, Brunei, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (a federation of seven emirates with hereditary rulers).

The catch: “constitutional monarchy” does not mean powerless. As the Wikipedia article on constitutional monarchy notes, some countries — including Bahrain, Bhutan, Jordan, Monaco, and Morocco — have monarchs who still exercise significant executive authority.

The implication: the number of royal families is not fixed — it depends on how loosely the term is applied to princely houses and microstates.

Who Are the Richest and Poorest Royal Families?

What is the richest royal family’s net worth?

By most estimates, the Saudi royal family tops the list, with a combined net worth exceeding $1.4 trillion (according to Forbes). The British royal family comes in second with an estimated $88 billion (Britannica, reference encyclopedia), though much of that is held in properties and investments like the Crown Estate. Thailand’s royal family is third, estimated at $40–60 billion.

What is the poorest royal family in the world?

The title often goes to the royal family of Lesotho, a small constitutional monarchy in southern Africa. Their public wealth is limited — the king receives a state salary and resides in a modest palace compared with European standards. Lesotho’s monarchy dates to the 19th century and holds little liquid wealth.

How does the British royal family’s wealth compare?

The British royal family’s official wealth comes from the Sovereign Grant, which is calculated as a percentage of the Crown Estate’s profits. In 2023–24, the Sovereign Grant was £86.3 million (UK Government, official treasury document). By comparison, the Saudi royal family’s wealth is largely derived from oil revenues held by the state and the Al Saud dynasty privately.

The trade-off: transparency. The British monarchy must publish annual reports; the Saudi family does not. This asymmetry makes exact comparisons nearly impossible.

What Will Kate Be Called If William Becomes King?

What is the title of the wife of a king?

When a king ascends the throne, his wife automatically becomes a queen consort (The Royal Family, official monarchy website). This is a formal title, not merely a courtesy — it grants her the style of “Her Majesty” and a place in the line of precedence above all other women in the realm.

Will Kate Middleton become queen consort?

Yes. When Prince William becomes king — whether that is tomorrow or decades from now — Catherine, Princess of Wales, will be consort. She will be styled as “Queen Catherine” or, more formally, “Her Majesty The Queen Consort”. The British royal household has already used the example of Queen Camilla, who became queen consort upon Charles III’s accession.

What is the difference between queen consort and queen regnant?

• A queen regnant is a female monarch who rules in her own right (e.g., Queen Elizabeth II).
• A queen consort is the wife of a reigning king and does not hold sovereign power.
• Both use the title “Queen”, but the consort’s role is ceremonial and supportive.

The implication: Catherine will gain the title “Queen” and all its formal trappings, but she will not govern. That power stays with the elected government.

How Do You Address Royalty?

What is the correct way to greet a royal?

According to the official British royal household guide, the first formal address to the King is “Your Majesty”, and afterward “Sir”. For the Queen, it is “Your Majesty” then “Ma’am” (pronounced like “jam”).

For other royal family members, the first address is “Your Royal Highness”, then “Sir” or “Ma’am” depending on gender. There is no “Princess Catherine” or “Prince William” in formal conversation — titles replace names.

What does ‘Your Majesty’ mean?

“Majesty” denotes supreme authority or dignity. Historically, it separated the monarch from other nobles who were addressed as “Your Grace” or “Your Highness”. Today it remains the default for sovereigns.

How to address a prince or princess?

• First meeting: “Your Royal Highness”
• Subsequent conversation: “Sir” (for men) or “Ma’am” (for women)
• Written correspondence: start with “Sir” or “Madam” and close with “I have the honour to remain, Sir, Your Royal Highness’s most humble and obedient servant” (Etiquette School of New York)

The rule of thumb: when in doubt, use the title. Royals expect formality — a handshake, not a hug, and wait for the royal to extend their hand first (YouTube, royal protocol video summary). No selfies, no pats on the arm.

What this means: even the strictest protocol bends when royals choose to be informal — but the safest bet is to follow the official guidance.

Who Controls the Royal Family?

What is the role of the monarch in government?

In constitutional monarchies, the monarch is head of state but political power rests with elected officials. The monarch appoints a prime minister (usually the leader of the majority party) and opens parliament in a ceremonial speech, but does not vote or make policy (Britannica, reference encyclopedia).

In executive constitutional monarchies, the monarch retains real decision-making authority. For example, the King of Jordan can dissolve parliament and appoint the prime minister.

“Constitutional monarchies exist in multiple forms — including systems where the monarch is largely ceremonial and systems where the monarch retains significant executive powers.”

Who funds the royal family?

The British royal family is funded through the Sovereign Grant, which is essentially a taxpayer contribution calculated as a share of Crown Estate profits. In 2023–24, the grant totalled £86.3 million (UK Government, official treasury document). Other countries use different models: in Sweden, the royal family receives a direct annual allowance from the state budget; in Spain, the king’s salary is published in the national budget.

Can the royal family be voted out?

Abolishing a monarchy usually requires a constitutional amendment or a referendum. Nepal abolished its monarchy in 2008 after a popular vote. Spain transitioned to a constitutional monarchy under the 1978 constitution, but the king remains as head of state. A simple election cannot remove a royal family — the system is designed to be changed only through extraordinary legal processes.

The pattern: once monarchies are established, they are remarkably sticky. Only a handful have been dissolved in the last 50 years (Nepal, Greece, Mauritius), and each time it required a political crisis or a clear democratic mandate.

For anyone watching the British monarchy from outside, the choice is clear: either embrace the pageantry with full awareness that it’s funded by public money, or push for greater transparency and accountability. The Saudi royal family operates in the dark; the British family publishes annual accounts. The difference is a matter of political will — and the public’s appetite for crowns.

For a detailed breakdown of how many royal families exist worldwide, see our guide on the global count of royal families.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Bradley Wiggins: Knighthood to Bankruptcy & Recovery — explores a royal honour system.
• Samuel Pepys: His Diary & the Great Fire of London — historical context of 17th-century monarchy.