FACTBOX:Where are the world's remaining monarchies?

Thu May 29, 2008 3:34am EDT
 
[-] Text [+]

(Reuters) - Nepal's 239-year-old Shah dynasty became the latest monarchy to tumble on Wednesday, after its ruling Hindu royals were outmaneuvered by a decade-long Maoist insurgency and displaced by a mass pro-democracy movement.

Here is a list of some of the world's remaining monarchies and their royal heads of state:

RULING MONARCHIES:

- Bahrain, constitutional monarchy: King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa.

- Brunei, constitutional sultanate: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir Hassanal Bolkiah.

- Jordan, constitutional monarchy: King Abdullah II.

- Kuwait, constitutional emirate: Sheik Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- Sabah.

- Oman, monarchy: Sultan and Prime Minister Qaboos bin Said.

- Qatar, emirate: Emir Sheik Hamad bin Khalifah al-Thani.

- Saudi Arabia, monarchy: King and Prime Minister Abdullah.

- Swaziland, monarchy: King Mswati III rules Africa's last remaining absolute monarchy.

- United Arab Emirates, federation of emirates: President Sheik Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan.

OTHER MONARCHIES:

- Bhutan, constitutional monarchy: King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, who ceded most of his powers at March democratic elections ending the country's absolute monarchy.

- Belgium, federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy: King Albert II.

- Cambodia, multiparty democracy under a constitutional monarchy: King Norodom Sihamoni.  Continued...

 

Editor's Choice

A selection of our best photos from the past 24 hours.  Slideshow 

Most Popular on Reuters

  • Articles
  • Video

Analysis

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad talks during a news conference after 25th Meeting of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC) of the Organization of the Islamic Conference in Istanbul November 9, 2009. REUTERS/Osman Orsal (TURKEY POLITICS IMAGES OF THE DAY)
The world according to Iran's Ahmadinejad

Building atom bombs is stupid. America must ditch Israel to gain friends in the Middle East. We need love and spirituality, not failed capitalist consumerism.  Full Article