Country

Date of Independence ; History

Current Sovereign

Bahrain

1971

King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, born January 28, 1950, acceded March 6, 1999 (as Emir); title changed to King, February 14, 2002.

Belgium

1830

King Albert II, born June 6, 1934, acceded August 9, 1993.

Bhutan

1949

King Jigme Singye Wangchuk, born November 11, 1955, acceded July 21, 1972.

Brunei Darussalam

1984

Sultan Sir Muda Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzadin Waddaulah, born July 15, 1946, acceded October 5, 1967.

Denmark

Monarchy dates from ninth century, possibly earlier; only European country which has continuously maintained both independence and monarchy since medieval times.

Queen Margrethe II, born April 16, 1940, acceded January 14, 1972.

Japan

The world’s oldest monarchy, officially founded in 660 B.C.

Emperor Akihito, born December 23, 1933, acceded January 7, 1989.

Jordan

1946

King Abdullah II, born January 30, 1962, acceded February 7, 1999. (Official sites are also maintained for Queen Rania, Prince Hamzah, and for the previous royal couple, the late King Hussein and Queen Noor.)

Kuwait

1961

Emir Sheikh Jabir al-Ahmad al-Jabir as-Sabah, born June 29, 1928, acceded January 1, 1978.

Liechtenstein

1806

Prince Hans Adam II, born February 14, 1945, acceded November 13, 1989; transferred powers to son Hereditary Prince Alois (b. June 11, 1968) August 15, 2004.

Luxembourg

1866; crown united with that of the Netherlands until 1890.

Grand Duke Henri, born April 16, 1955, acceded October 7, 2000.

Monaco

Semi-independent since medieval times; Grimaldi dynasty has ruled since 1297, interrupted by French Revolution.

Prince Albert II, born March 14, 1958, acceded April 6, 2005.

Morocco

1956

King Mohammed VI, born August 21, 1963, acceded July 23, 1999.

Nepal

Unified 1769; constitutional monarchy since 1990.

King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, born July 7, 1947, acceded June 4, 2001.

Netherlands

1581; French control 1795-1813, constitutional monarchy 1815.

Queen Beatrix, born January 31, 1938, acceded April 30, 1980.

Norway

Monarchy dates from ninth century; crown united with that of Denmark 1397-1814, Sweden 1814-1905.

King Harald V, born February 21, 1937, acceded January 17, 1991.

Qatar

1971

Emir Hamad bin Khalifa ath-Thani, born 1950, acceded June 27, 1995.

Saudi Arabia

1913

King Fahd ibn Abdul Aziz, born 1921, acceded June 13, 1982.

Spain

Unified 1492; Monarchy overthrown 1931, restored 1975.

King Juan Carlos I, born January 5, 1938, acceded November 22, 1975.

Sweden

Monarchy dates from ninth century; crown usually united with that of Denmark and Norway from 1397 until 1523.

King Carl XVI Gustaf, born April 30, 1946, acceded September 19, 1973.

Thailand

Unified 1350; known as Siam until 1939.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej, born December 5, 1927, acceded June 9, 1946; longest serving head of state in the world.

Tonga

1970

King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV, born July 4, 1918, acceded December 16, 1965.

United Kingdom

England united 829; conquered Wales and Ireland in Middle Ages. English and Scottish crowns united 1603. Monarchy overthrown 1649; restored 1660. Act of Union 1707, United Kingdom established 1801.

Queen Elizabeth II, born April 21, 1926, acceded February 6, 1952.

Country

Date of Independence ; Description

Current sovereign

Cambodia

1953; monarchy overthrown 1970, restored 1993.

King Norodom Sihamoni, born May 14, 1953, acceded October 14, 2004

Lesotho

1966

King Letsie III, born July 17, 1963, reigned previously 1990-93, acceded February 7, 1996.

Malaysia

1963; monarch elected by council of hereditary rulers of the Malayan states (including Perak) every five years.

King Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin, born 1943, acceded December 13, 2001.

Oman

1744

Sultan Qabus bin Said, born November 18, 1942, acceded July 23, 1970.

Samoa

1962; formerly known as Western Samoa . After death of current ruler, head of state will be elected every five years.

King Malietoa Tanuamafili II, born January 4, 1913, acceded January 1, 1962.

Swaziland

1968

King Mswati III, born 1968, acceded April 25, 1986.

United Arab Emirates

1971; federation of emirates.

President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan, Emir of Abu Dhabi, born 1948, in office November 3, 2004.

Country

Date of independence

Comments

Antigua and Barbuda

1981

Australia

1901

Proposal to become a republic defeated in referendum, November 6, 1999

Bahamas

1973

Barbados

1966

Belize

1981

Canada

1867

Grenada

1974

Jamaica

1962

New Zealand

1907

Papua New Guinea

1975

Saint Kitts and Nevis

1983

Saint Lucia

1979

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

1979

Solomon Islands

1978

Tuvalu

1978

Country

History

Current sovereign(s)

Andorra

Co-principality since 1278. Parliamentary government adopted 1993 but nominal sovereignty is still held by President of France (as successor to the Counts of Foix) and the Bishop of Urgell.

Jacques Chirac, President of France and (Co) Prince of Andorra, born November 29, 1932, in office May 17, 1995; Joan Enric Vives Sicilia, Bishop of Urgell and (Co) Prince-Bishop of Andorra, born July 24, 1949, in office May 12, 2003.

Vatican City

Independent 1929, but papacy dates from 42 AD.

Pope Benedict XVI (Joseph Ratzinger), born April 16, 1927, in office April 19, 2005.