Countries That Still Have Monarchy in 2024

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom consists of four kingdoms: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It was formerly one of the largest empires in the world. Dozens of its former colonies remain associated with it in the British Commonwealth and recognize the British monarch as their own, although they are independent and run their own affairs. The current monarch of the United Kingdom is Charles III.

Australia

Australia is an independent country but remains a member of the British Commonwealth. Therefore, its form of government is officially a parliamentary democracy, and The present monarch is King Charles III, who has reigned since 8 September 2022. The King is represented at the federal level by the governor-general, in accordance with the Australian constitution and letters patent from his mother and predecessor, Queen Elizabeth II. 

Belgium

On 3 July 2013, King Albert II announced his abdication. On the National Day, which follows a few weeks later, Prince Philippe took the oath and became the seventh King of the Belgians. His daughter Elisabeth, who turned 22 on 25 October 2023, is now first in line to the throne.

Bhutan

Bhutan is a democratic, constitutional monarchy with a population of approximately 700,000. The king, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, is the head of state, and executive power is vested in the cabinet, headed by Prime Minister, Jigme Thinley.

Cambodia

The King's power is limited to that of a symbolic figurehead to whom people are to give love and respect. The monarch also represents peace, stability, and prosperity to the Khmer people. Since 1993, the King of Cambodia is an elected monarch, making Cambodia one of the few elective monarchies of the world.

Canada

The monarchy is the foundation of the executive (King-in-Council), legislative (King-in-Parliament), and judicial (King-on-the-Bench) branches of both federal and provincial jurisdictions. The current monarch is King Charles III, who has reigned since 8 September 2022. Canada is a constitutional monarchy. Discover how the Crown in Canada has evolved and remains an essential and relevant component of our identity, contributing to a sense of stability for Canadians.

Denmark

Queen Margrethe II (born 1940), has been Denmark's reigning monarch since 1972. Her son Crown Prince Frederik (born 1968) will be the next one to succeed to the throne, part of a line that reaches all the way back to Gorm the Old (believed to be born around year 900) and Harald Bluetooth (born around 940).

Jamaica

Jamaica thus became a sovereign state and independent constitutional monarchy with Queen Elizabeth II as head of state and Queen of Jamaica. The Queen's sister, Princess Margaret, represented her at the independence celebrations in August 1962.

Japan

Japan, one of the major powers of East Asia, has a parliamentary monarchy. It is ruled by Emperor Naruhito. Interestingly, when Japan was occupied by the United States at the end of World War II, some Americans called for the monarchy to be abolished. However, a decision was made to keep it as a stabilizing influence on Japanese society.

Jordan

Jordan is a country in the Middle East sharing borders with Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Israel. It also has a small coastline on the Gulf of Aqaba. Jordan is a semi-constitutional monarchy currently ruled by King Abdullah II.

Kuwait

Kuwait is an oil-rich semi-constitutional monarchy at the head of the Persian Gulf, bordering Iraq and Saudi Arabia. It is well-known to Americans as the country invaded by Iraq in 1990, leading to an international war. The current monarch of Kuwait is Emir Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

Luxembourg

Luxembourg, like many other European countries, is a parliamentary monarchy. It is located in Northwestern Europe, bordering Belgium, France, and Germany. Its ruler is Grand Duke Henri.

Malaysia

Malaysia is a Southeast Asian country split into two major parts between the Malay Peninsula and the island of Borneo. It shares land borders with Thailand, Brunei, and Indonesia. Malaysia is a parliamentary and federal monarchy ruled by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Abdullah.

Monaco

Monaco is one of the smallest and wealthiest countries in the world. It’s located on the Riviera, a region stretching along the Mediterranean coast of France and Italy that is a playground for the rich and famous. Monaco is ruled by Prince Albert II. His mother, Princess Grace, was an American actress named Grace Kelly before she married into the royal family.

Morocco

Morocco is a Northwest African country located across the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain. It has a unique culture blending North African, Arabic, and European influences. Morocco is a semi-constitutional monarchy. Its ruler is King Mohammed VI.

Netherlands

The Netherlands, also known as Holland, is a country bordering Germany and Belgium. Much of it is below sea level and protected by a series of dikes that hold back the ocean. Its government is a parliamentary monarchy under the leadership of King Willem-Alexander.

New Zealand

New Zealand is one of the most isolated countries in the world, located to the southeast of Australia. It has strong cultural influences from the indigenous Maori tribe. As a former British colony, New Zealand is a parliamentary monarchy that recognizes Charles III of the United Kingdom as its King.

Norway

Norway, a Scandinavian country on the North Sea and the Arctic Ocean, is famous for its scenic mountains and fjords. It is a parliamentary monarchy under the leadership of King Harald V.

Oman

Oman is a country of the Arabian Peninsula bordering Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and the United Arab Emirates. Its government is an absolute monarchy. The current ruler is Sultan Haitham bin Tarik.

Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea shares the island of New Guinea with Indonesia. A parliamentary monarchy formerly ruled by the British Empire, Papua New Guinea recognizes the British monarch Charles III as their King.

Qatar

Qatar is located on a peninsula in the Persian Gulf. It shares a short border with Saudi Arabia. Oil-rich like its neighbors, Qatar is a semi-constitutional monarchy under the leadership of Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is one of the major countries in the Middle East. It occupies most of the Arabian Peninsula and is a major supplier of oil to the world. It is an absolute monarchy under the rule of King Salman.

Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands are located off the southeastern tip of Papua New Guinea in the South Pacific. The country is a parliamentary monarchy under King Charles III of England.

Spain

The Spanish monarchy began to form in the 15th century CE. Two territories, Castile and Aragon, consolidated power in 1469 when Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon married. In 1496, Pope Alexander VI acknowledged the union, and the monarchs became defenders of the Catholic faith.

Sweden

Sweden is a Scandinavian country bordering Norway and Finland. It has recently been in the news due to its decision to join NATO after perceived threats from Russia. A parliamentary monarchy, Sweden’s King is Carl XVI Gustaf.

Thailand

Thailand, in Southeast Asia, is one of the few countries in the region never to have been colonized by a European power. A parliamentary monarchy, its King is Rama X.

United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates, or UAE, is a wealthy country in the Persian Gulf. It has used its oil wealth to diversify its economy and become a major tourist destination. The tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa, is located there. It is a semi-constitutional and federal monarchy ruled by Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Vatican City

Vatican City is a tiny independent country located entirely within the city of Rome. It is the administrative and spiritual center of the Roman Catholic Church. It may seem strange to think of it as a monarchy, but it is actually an absolute monarchy that follows the decrees of the Pope. The country’s leader is Pope Francis.