Charles III Coronation: As England Crowns New King, A Look At Other Monarchies In The World
King Charles will be the oldest monarch to ever take the British throne when he will be coronated on May 6. Let's take a look at some of the other countries that also have monarchies.
King Charles III will be coronated as the King of Great Britain on May 6 at Westminster Abbey in London. The ceremony will also see the crowning of Queen Consort Camilla alongside Charles. Charles automatically ascended to the throne when Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8, 2022, and was officially proclaimed Britain’s monarch two days later in an ascension ceremony broadcast for the first time on television.
He is the oldest monarch to ever take the British throne.
On Saturday, the King and the Queen Consort will arrive at Westminster Abbey in a procession from Buckingham Palace, known as ‘The King’s Procession’ and after the Service, they will return to the palace in a larger ceremonial procession, known as ‘The Coronation Procession,’ as per the official website of the Royal Family.
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During the service conducted by the church's spiritual leader, the archbishop of Canterbury, Charles will be anointed with oil, receive the traditional symbols of the monarch — including the orb and scepter — and have the St. Edwards Crown placed on his head for the first time. Charles’ wife, Camilla, will be crowned as queen consort.
While King Charles's coronation has brought all the attention to the British monarchy, let's take a look at some of the other countries that also have monarchies.
A Look At Countries That Still Have Monarchy
Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy, where the king holds both political and religious authority. The country follows the system of hereditary monarchy, where the title of king is passed down within the Al Saud royal family. The current monarch is King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who ascended to the throne in 2015. In 2017, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman named his son Mohammed bin Salman as crown prince, removing his nephew, Mohammed bin Nayef, as heir.
Japan: Japan has a constitutional monarchy, where the emperor serves as the ceremonial head of state while the actual governance is carried out by elected officials. The current emperor of Japan is Emperor Naruhito, who ascended to the throne in 2019 following the abdication of his father, Emperor Akihito. It's important to note that Japan's monarchy has a long history, and the imperial family is believed to be the world's oldest hereditary monarchy, with a lineage dating back more than 2,600 years.
Qatar: Qatar is an absolute monarchy, where the ruling Al Thani family holds the highest authority in the country. The monarch, currently Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, serves as the head of state and has extensive powers over the governance of Qatar. In the Qatari monarchy, the emir exercises executive authority and has the final say in matters of governance, legislation, and policy-making.
The Netherlands: The Netherlands has a constitutional monarchy, with King Willem-Alexander as the reigning monarch. Similar to other constitutional monarchies, the King's role is primarily symbolic, and the country is governed by elected representatives.
Bhutan: Bhutan has a unique form of monarchy known as a "Druk Gyalpo" or Dragon King. The monarchy in Bhutan is hereditary, with the current monarch being Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, who ascended to the throne in 2006 after his father's abdication. In Bhutan, the king is not just a ceremonial figurehead but also plays a significant role in the governance of the country. The monarchy in Bhutan is guided by the principles of "Gross National Happiness," which emphasizes the well-being and happiness of the Bhutanese people over material wealth.
Spain: Spain is a constitutional monarchy, with King Felipe VI as the reigning monarch. The role of the Spanish monarch is mainly symbolic, with limited executive powers.King Felipe VI ascended to the throne in 2014 following the abdication of his father, King Juan Carlos I.
Thailand: Thailand has a constitutional monarchy, where the king serves as the head of state. The monarchy in Thailand holds a revered and influential position within the country. The current monarch of Thailand is King Maha Vajiralongkorn, also known as King Rama X, who ascended to the throne in 2016 following the passing of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama IX).
Bahrain: The current monarch of Bahrain is King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who ascended to the throne in 1999. In the Bahraini monarchy, the king holds significant executive powers and plays a central role in the governance of the country. The king has the authority to appoint the government, including the Prime Minister and members of the cabinet. He also has the power to issue decrees, dissolve the parliament, and call for new elections.
The ruling Al Khalifa family has been in power since the late 18th century.
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