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After World War I, however, most European monarchies were abolished. There remain, as of 2024, twelve sovereign monarchies in Europe. Seven are kingdoms: Denmark, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Spain, the Netherlands, and Belgium. Three are principalities: Andorra, Liechtenstein, and Monaco.
Though principalities existed in antiquity, even before the height of the Roman Empire, the principality as it is known today developed in the Middle Ages between 750 and 1450 when feudalism was the primary economic and social system in much of Europe. Feudalism increased the power of local princes within a king's lands.
Jun 23, 2020 · 1. European microstates of Andorra, Liechtenstein and Monaco are ruled by Princes, not Kings or Queens. They all are members of the United Nations but not the European Union. Photo by British...
- Andorra
- Belgium
- Denmark
- Liechtenstein
- Luxembourg
- Monaco
- The Netherlands
- Norway
- Spain
- Sweden
The largest of Europe's microstates in terms of size is nestled in a high valley of the Pyrenees between France and Spain. The Principality of Andorra is unique in that it is headed by two co-princes who are not members of the nobility: Spain's Bishop of Urgell, the only prince-bishop in the world, and the French President, who is considered the le...
King Philippe has been the Belgian head of state since 2013. He is not called King of Belgium, but King of the Belgians. The Belgians are not his subjects but simply his fellow countrymen. Another Belgian peculiarity is that the heir to the throne is not automatically enthroned when the predecessor dies or abdicates — they must first take the const...
Founded in 980 A.D., the Danish royal house is one of the oldest monarchies in the world. In addition to the small country in northern Europe, the national territory includes the Faroe Islands and Greenland. Queen Margrethe IIhas ruled the country since 1972. Her family goes back to Harald Bluetooth, the first Viking king. Her eccentric appearance ...
The Principality of Liechtenstein is unique because the prince and the people share state power. For 300 years, the prince regnant's family has ruled over the small realm, which lies between western Austria and Switzerland. The family is committed to sustainability, and promotes culture and science. The current head of state, Prince Hans-Adam II, h...
The head of the country is His Royal Highness Grand Duke Henri, Prince of Nassau, Prince of Bourbon-Parma. In short: Henri. He has been in office since 2000 and his position is for the most part representative. He cannot pass laws — but he can proclaim them. He can dissolve parliaments and appoint ministers, but he has no political responsibility, ...
The microstate on the Cote d'Azurin the south of France is a symbol of wealth, luxury and glamour, certainly since 1956, when Prince Rainier married the US actress Grace Kelly. As Princess Gracia Patricia, she beamed from the front pages of tabloid publications, her husband the prince paled beside her. The couple had three children: Caroline, Steph...
The Dutch love their head of state. Every year, they celebrate "Koningsdag" on the king's birthday, a fun festival for everybody that also has the royal familytravelling around the country, visiting communities in the provinces. In honor of the royal family, the House of Oranje-Nassau, the color orange abounds on that day. King Willem-Alexander has...
King Harald V has ruled Norway since 1991. He has been married to Sonja Haraldsen since 1968. In 2021, the couple celebrated their 30th crown anniversary. Their two children are Crown Prince Haakon and Princess Martha Louise. Haakon married Mette-Marit, a commoner and single mother of an illegitimate son, which made headlines shortly before their w...
King Felipe VI has been in office since 2014. He succeeded his father Juan Carlos, who abdicated in the wake of various scandals, including allegations of bribery. Felipe, his wife Letizia and their two daughters Leonor and Sofia come across as a true picture-book family. Getting there was not easy. His parents had already rejected two of his forme...
The Swedish royal family maintains close ties with Germany. The reigning queen could be straight from a fairy tale: At the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, a German hostess by the name of Silvia Sommerlath met Carl Gustav, Crown Prince of Sweden. The couple married in 1976. Carl Gustav has been King of Sweden since 1973. In 1980, the country became th...
Sep 16, 2024 · The most successful rulers of the 12th and 13th centuries were, first, individual lords who created compact and more intensely governed principalities and, second and most important and enduring, kings who successfully asserted their authority over the princes, often with princely cooperation.
Dec 28, 2023 · A principality is a nation, country, or formal territory that is ruled not by a king, queen, emperor or empress, but by a royal prince or princess. In a kingdom, the rank of prince or princess is secondary to a king or queen, but in a principality, the rank of prince or princess indicates the head of state, i.e. the monarch or ruler.
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Dec 25, 2022 · At one time practically every country in Europe was ruled by royalty, but today only 12 principalities and kingdoms remain.
