Royal family: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Family of a monarch}}{{About|the monarchy-related concept}}
{{Short description|Family of a monarch}}
{{distinguish|Royal Household}}
{{About|the monarchy-related concept}}
{{distinguish|Royal household}}
{{pp-semi-indef}}
{{More citations needed|date=July 2008}}
{{Monarchism |expanded=all}}
A '''royal family''' is the immediate family of [[monarch]]s and sometimes their extended family.<ref>{{cite book | last1=Hazell | first1=Robert | last2=Morris | first2=Bob | title=The Role of Monarchy in Modern Democracy: European Monarchies Compared | date=17 September 2020 | publisher=Bloomsbury | isbn=978-1-5099-3103-3 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ccv9DwAAQBAJ&dq=royal%20family%20definition&pg=PA160 }}</ref>


{{Refimprove|date=July 2008}}
The term '''imperial family''' appropriately describes the family of an [[emperor]] or [[emperor|empress]], and the term '''[[papal family]]''' describes the family of a [[pope]], while the terms '''baronial family''', '''comital family''', '''ducal family''', '''archducal family''', '''grand ducal family''', or '''princely family''' are more appropriate to describe, respectively, the relatives of a reigning [[baron]], [[count]]/[[earl]], [[duke]], [[archduke]], [[grand duke]], or [[prince]].
{{Monarchism |expanded=all}}
{{Ranks of Nobility}}
A '''royal family''' is the immediate family of [[King|kings]]/[[Queen regnant|queens]], [[Emir|emirs/emiras]], [[Sultan|sultans]]/[[Sultana (title)|sultanas]], or [[raja]]/[[rani]] and sometimes their extended family. The term '''imperial family''' appropriately describes the family of an [[emperor]] or [[emperor|empress]], and the term '''papal family''' describes the family of a [[pope]], while the terms '''baronial family''', '''comital family''', '''ducal family''', '''archducal family''', '''grand ducal family''', or '''princely family''' are more appropriate to describe, respectively, the relatives of a reigning [[baron]], [[count]]/[[earl]], [[duke]], [[archduke]], [[grand duke]], or [[prince]]. However, in common parlance members of any family which [[reign]]s by hereditary right are often referred to as royalty or "royals". It is also customary in some circles to refer to the extended relations of a deposed [[monarch]] and their descendants as a royal family. A [[dynasty]] is sometimes referred to as the "House of ...". In July 2013 there were 26 active sovereign dynasties in the world that ruled or reigned over 43 monarchies.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/07/22/meet-the-worlds-other-25-royal-families/ Meet the world’s other 25 royal families]</ref>


{{As of|2021}}, while there are several European countries whose nominal head of state, by long tradition, is a king or queen, the associated royal families, with the notable exception of the [[British royal family]], are non-notable ordinary citizens who may bear a title but are not involved in public affairs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Britain's royal family is an accident waiting to happen. Prince Charles should dismantle it |last=Jenkins |first=Simon |work=The Guardian |date=13 March 2021 |url= https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/13/britain-royal-family-prince-charles-monarchy}}</ref>
However, in common parlance members of any family which [[reign]]s by hereditary right are often referred to as royalty or "royals". It is also customary in some circles to refer to the extended relations of a deposed [[monarch]] and their descendants as a royal family. A [[dynasty]] is sometimes referred to as the "House of ...". In July 2013 there were 26 active sovereign dynasties in the world that ruled or reigned over 43 monarchies.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/07/22/meet-the-worlds-other-25-royal-families/ Meet the world's other 25 royal families]</ref>


==Members of a royal family==
==Members of a royal family==
{{more citations needed section|date=November 2025}}
[[Image:Louis14-Family.jpg|thumb|The Royal Family of [[Kingdom of France|France]] in classical costume during the reign of [[Louis XIV of France|Louis XIV]].]]
[[Image:Louis14-Family.jpg|thumb|The Royal Family of [[Kingdom of France|France]] in classical costume during the reign of [[Louis XIV of France|Louis XIV]].]]


A royal family typically includes the spouse of the reigning monarch, surviving spouses of a deceased monarch, the children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, and paternal cousins of the reigning monarch, as well as their spouses. In some cases, royal family membership may extend to great grandchildren and more distant descendants of a monarch. In certain monarchies where voluntary [[abdication]] is the norm, such as the [[Netherlands]], a royal family may also include one or more former monarchs. In certain instances, such as in Canada, the royal family is defined by who holds the styles [[Majesty]] and [[Royal Highness]].<ref>[http://www.saskd.ca/heritage.pdf Department of National Defence: ''The Honours, Flags and Heritage Structure of the Canadian Forces''; pg 281]</ref> There is often a distinction between persons of the blood royal and those that marry into the royal family. Under most systems, only persons in the first category are dynasts, that is, potential successors to the throne (unless the member of the latter category is also in line to the throne in their own right, a frequent occurrence in royal families which frequently intermarry). This is not always observed; some monarchies have operated by the principle of ''[[jure uxoris]]''.
A royal family typically includes the spouse of the reigning monarch, surviving spouses of a deceased monarch, the children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, and paternal cousins of the reigning monarch, as well as their spouses. In some cases, royal family membership may extend to great-grandchildren and more distant descendants of a monarch. In certain monarchies where voluntary [[abdication]] is the norm, such as the [[Netherlands]], a royal family may also include one or more former monarchs. In certain instances, such as in Canada, the royal family is defined by who holds the styles [[Majesty]] and [[Royal Highness]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.saskd.ca/heritage.pdf |title=Department of National Defence: ''The Honours, Flags and Heritage Structure of the Canadian Forces''; pg 281 |access-date=2007-06-26 |archive-date=2009-03-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090325162006/http://www.saskd.ca/heritage.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> There is often a distinction between persons of the blood royal and those that marry into the royal family. Under most systems, only persons in the first category are dynasts, that is, potential successors to the throne (unless the member of the latter category is also in line to the throne in their own right, a frequent occurrence in royal families which frequently intermarry). This is not always observed; some monarchies have operated by the principle of ''[[jure uxoris]]''.


In addition, certain relatives of the monarch (by blood or marriage) possess special privileges and are subject to certain statutes, conventions, or special common law. The precise functions of a royal family vary depending on whether the polity in question is an [[absolute monarchy]], a [[constitutional monarchy]], or somewhere in between. In certain monarchies, such as that found in [[Saudi Arabia]] or [[Kuwait]], or in political systems where the monarch actually exercises executive power, such as in [[Jordan]], it is not uncommon for the members of a royal family to hold important government posts or military commands. In most constitutional monarchies, however, members of a royal family perform certain public, social, or ceremonial functions, but refrain from any involvement in electoral politics or the actual governance of the country.
In addition, certain relatives of the monarch (by blood or marriage) possess special privileges and are subject to certain statutes, conventions, or special common law. The precise functions of a royal family vary depending on whether the polity in question is an [[absolute monarchy]], a [[constitutional monarchy]], or somewhere in between. In certain monarchies, such as that found in [[Saudi Arabia]] or [[Kuwait]], or in political systems where the monarch actually exercises executive power, such as in [[Jordan]], it is not uncommon for the members of a royal family to hold important government posts or military commands. In most constitutional monarchies, however, members of a royal family perform certain public, social, or ceremonial functions, but refrain from any involvement in electoral politics or the actual governance of the country.
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The specific composition of royal families varies from country to country, as do the titles and [[royal and noble styles]] held by members of the family. The composition of the royal family may be regulated by statute enacted by the legislature (e.g., Spain, the [[Netherlands]], and Japan since 1947), the sovereign's prerogative and common law tradition (e.g., the United Kingdom), or a private house law (e.g., [[Liechtenstein]], the former ruling houses of [[Bavaria]], [[Prussia]], [[Hanover]], etc.). Public statutes, constitutional provisions, or conventions may also regulate the marriages, names, and personal titles of royal family members. The members of a royal family may or may not have a surname or dynastic name (see [[Royal House]]).
The specific composition of royal families varies from country to country, as do the titles and [[royal and noble styles]] held by members of the family. The composition of the royal family may be regulated by statute enacted by the legislature (e.g., Spain, the [[Netherlands]], and Japan since 1947), the sovereign's prerogative and common law tradition (e.g., the United Kingdom), or a private house law (e.g., [[Liechtenstein]], the former ruling houses of [[Bavaria]], [[Prussia]], [[Hanover]], etc.). Public statutes, constitutional provisions, or conventions may also regulate the marriages, names, and personal titles of royal family members. The members of a royal family may or may not have a surname or dynastic name (see [[Royal House]]).


In a constitutional monarchy, when the monarch dies, there is always a law or tradition of succession to the throne that either specifies a formula for identifying the precise [[order of succession]] among family members in line to the throne or specifies a process by which a family member is chosen to inherit the crown. Usually in the former case the exact [[line of hereditary succession]] among royal individuals may be identified at any given moment during prior [[reign]]s (e.g. [[line of succession to the British throne|United Kingdom]], [[List of seigneurs of Sark|Sark]], [[Aga Khan|Nizari Ismailis]], [[line of succession to the Japanese throne|Japan]], [[Rain Queen|Balobedu]]s, [[line of succession to the Swedish throne|Sweden]], [[Benin Empire|Kingdom of Benin]]) whereas in the latter case the next sovereign may be selected (or changed) only during the reign or shortly after the demise of the immediately preceding monarch (e.g. [[List of monarchs of Cambodia|Cambodia]], [[Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu#Wives|KwaZulu Natal]], [[Kabaka of Buganda#Election of kings|Buganda]], [[Succession to the Saudi Arabian throne|Saudi Arabia]], [[Politics of Swaziland#Monarchy|Swaziland]], [[Yoruba people|Yorubaland]], [[Māori King Movement|The Kingitanga]]). Some monarchies employ a mix of these selection processes ([[Yang di-Pertuan Agong|Malaysia]], [[Line of succession to the Monegasque throne|Monaco]], [[Line of succession to the Tongan throne|Tonga]], [[Line of succession to the Jordanian throne|Jordan]], [[Line of succession to the Moroccan throne|Morocco]]), providing for both an identifiable line of succession as well as authority for the monarch, dynasty or other institution to alter the line in specific instances without changing the general law of succession.  
In a constitutional monarchy, when the monarch dies, there is always a law or tradition of succession to the throne that either specifies a formula for identifying the precise [[order of succession]] among family members in line to the throne or specifies a process by which a family member is chosen to inherit the crown. Usually in the former case the exact [[line of hereditary succession]] among royal individuals may be identified at any given moment during prior [[reign]]s (e.g. [[line of succession to the British throne|United Kingdom]], [[List of seigneurs of Sark|Sark]], [[Aga Khan|Nizari Ismailis]], [[line of succession to the Japanese throne|Japan]], [[Rain Queen|Balobedu]]s, [[line of succession to the Swedish throne|Sweden]], [[Benin Empire|Kingdom of Benin]]) whereas in the latter case the next sovereign may be selected (or changed) only during the reign or shortly after the demise of the immediately preceding monarch (e.g. [[List of monarchs of Cambodia|Cambodia]], [[Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu#Wives|KwaZulu Natal]], [[Kabaka of Buganda#Election of kings|Buganda]], [[Succession to the Saudi Arabian throne|Saudi Arabia]], [[Politics of Swaziland#Monarchy|Swaziland]], [[Yoruba people|Yorubaland]], [[Māori King Movement|The Kingitanga]]). Some monarchies employ a mix of these selection processes ([[Yang di-Pertuan Agong|Malaysia]], [[Line of succession to the Monegasque throne|Monaco]], [[Line of succession to the Tongan throne|Tonga]], [[Line of succession to the Jordanian throne|Jordan]], [[Line of succession to the Moroccan throne|Morocco]]), providing for both an identifiable line of succession as well as authority for the monarch, dynasty or other institution to alter the line in specific instances without changing the general law of succession.


Some countries have [[Abolition of monarchy|abolished]] royalty altogether, as in post-revolutionary France (1870), post-revolutionary Russia (1917), Portugal (1910), post-war Germany (1918), post-war Italy (1946) and many ex European colonies.
Some countries have [[Abolition of monarchy|abolished]] royalty altogether, as in post-revolutionary France (1870), post-revolutionary Russia (1917), Portugal (1910), post-war Germany (1918), post-war Italy (1946) and many ex European colonies.
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* [[House of Dlamini|Swazi royal family]]
* [[House of Dlamini|Swazi royal family]]
* [[List of current constituent African monarchs]]
* [[List of current constituent African monarchs]]
===Middle East===
* [[House of Khalifa|Bahraini royal family]]
* [[Royal families of the United Arab Emirates|Emirati princely families]]
* [[Hashemites|Jordanian royal family]]
* [[Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah|Kuwaiti princely family]]
* [[House of Al Said|Omani sultanic family]]
* [[House of Thani|Qatari princely family]]
* [[House of Saud|Saudi royal family]]


===Asia===
===Asia===
* [[House of Bolkiah|Bruneian royal family]]
* [[House of Bolkiah|Bruneian royal family]]
* [[House of Wangchuck|Bhutanese royal family]]
* [[House of Wangchuck|Bhutanese royal family]]
* [[Norodom Sihanouk|Cambodian royal family]]
* Cambodian royal family
** [[House of Norodom]]
** [[House of Sisowath]]
* [[Imperial House of Japan|Japanese imperial family]]
* [[Imperial House of Japan|Japanese imperial family]]
* [[List of monarchs of Java|Javanese royal families]]
** Yogyakarta royal families
*** [[Hamengkubuwono|Yogyakarta royal family]]
*** [[Pakualaman|Pakualam ducal family]]
** Surakarta royal families
*** [[Susuhunan|Surakarta royal family]]
*** [[Mangkunegaran Palace|Mangkunegaran ducal family]]
* Malaysian royal families
* Malaysian royal families
** [[Iskandar of Johor|Johor royal family]]
** [[Iskandar of Johor|Johor royal family]]
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===Europe===
===Europe===
* [[Monarchy of Belgium|Belgian royal family]]
* [[Monarchy of Belgium|Belgian royal family]]
* Royal family of the [[Commonwealth realms]]:
* [[British royal family]]
** [[Monarchy of Antigua and Barbuda|Antigua and Barbuda royal family]]
** [[Monarchy of Australia|Australian royal family]]
** [[Monarchy of the Bahamas|Bahamian royal family]]
** [[Monarchy of Belize|Belizian royal family]]
** [[British royal family]]
** [[Monarchy of Canada|Canadian royal family]]
** [[Monarchy of Grenada|Grenadian royal family]]
** [[Monarchy of Jamaica|Jamaican royal family]]
** [[Monarchy of New Zealand|New Zealand royal family]]
** [[Monarchy of Papua New Guinea|Papua New Guinean royal family]]
** [[Monarchy of Saint Kitts and Nevis|Saint Kitts and Nevis royal family]]
** [[Monarchy of Saint Lucia|Saint Lucian royal family]]
** [[Monarchy of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines|Saint Vincent and the Grenadines royal family]]
** [[Monarchy of Solomon Islands|Solomon Island royal family]]
** [[Monarchy of Tuvalu|Tuvaluan royal family]]
* [[Danish royal family]]
* [[Danish royal family]]
* [[Monarchy of the Netherlands|Dutch royal family]]
* [[Monarchy of the Netherlands|Dutch royal family]]
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* [[Spanish royal family]]
* [[Spanish royal family]]
* [[Swedish royal family]]
* [[Swedish royal family]]
===Middle East===
* [[House of Khalifa|Bahraini royal family]]
* [[Royal families of the United Arab Emirates|Emirati royal families]]
* [[Hashemites|Jordanian royal family]]
* [[Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah|Kuwaiti royal family]]
* [[House of Al Said|Omani royal family]]
* [[House of Thani|Qatari royal family]]
* [[House of Saud|Saudi royal family]]


===Oceania===
===Oceania===
* [[Monarchy of Australia|Australian royal family]]
* [[Monarchy of New Zealand|New Zealand royal family]]
* [[Monarchy of Papua New Guinea|Papuan royal family]]
* [[Monarchy of the Solomon Islands|Solomon Islands royal family]]
* [[List of monarchs of Tonga|Tongan royal family]]
* [[List of monarchs of Tonga|Tongan royal family]]
* [[Monarchy of Tuvalu|Tuvaluan royal family]]
===North America===
* [[Monarchy of Antigua and Barbuda|Antiguan royal family]]
* [[Monarchy of The Bahamas|Bahamian royal family]]
* [[Monarchy of Belize|Belizean royal family]]
* [[Monarchy of Canada|Canadian royal family]]
* [[Monarchy of Grenada|Grenadian royal family]]
* [[Monarchy of Jamaica|Jamaican royal family]]
* [[Monarchy of Saint Kitts and Nevis|Saint Kitts and Nevis royal family]]
* [[Monarchy of Saint Lucia|Saint Lucian royal family]]
* [[Monarchy of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines|Vincentian royal family]]


==Deposed royal families==
==Deposed royal families==
{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|
<!-- Only the last dynasties to rule the country. Do not add extinct royal houses (which have no descendants in the present day). An example is the Hova dynasty of Madagascar-->
* [[House of Habsburg|Holy Roman, Austro-Hungarian imperial family]]
 
* [[Monarchy of Barbados|Barbadian royal family]]
===Africa===
* [[Mughal dynasty| Mughal imperial family]]
* [[House of Bokassa|Central African imperial family]]
* [[Gaekwad dynasty|Baroda royal family]]
* [[Wadiyar dynasty|Mysore royal Family]] (Wadiyar Dynasty)
* [[Nawab of Dhaka|Royal family of Dhaka]]
* [[House of Wittelsbach|Bavarian royal family]]
* [[Brazilian imperial family]]
* [[Bulgarian royal family]]
* [[Georgian royal family]]
* [[Greek royal family]]
* [[Muhammad Ali dynasty|Egyptian royal family]]
* [[Muhammad Ali dynasty|Egyptian royal family]]
* [[Solomonic dynasty|Ethiopian imperial family]]
* [[Solomonic dynasty|Ethiopian imperial family]]
* [[List of rulers of Hesse|Hessian grand ducal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms and dominions|Gambian royal family]]
* [[House of Savoy|Italian royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms and dominions|Ghanaian royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms and dominions|Kenyan royal family]]
* [[Senusiyya|Libyan royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms and dominions|Malawian royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms and dominions|Mauritian royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms and dominions|Nigerian royal family]]
* [[List of kings of Rwanda|Rwandan royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms and dominions|Rhodesian (Zimbabwean) royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms and dominions|Sierra Leonean royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms and dominions|South African royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms and dominions|Tanganykan (Tanzanian) royal family]]
* [[Husainid dynasty|Tunisian royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms and dominions|Ugandan royal family]]
* [[List of kings of Burundi|Umurundi royal family]]
 
===Middle East===
* [[Ottoman dynasty|Ottoman (Turkish) imperial family]]
* [[Pahlavi dynasty|Iranian imperial family]]
* [[Pahlavi dynasty|Iranian imperial family]]
* [[Kings of Israel and Judah|Israel and Judah royal family]]
* [[Hashemites#Iraqi Hashemites (Descendants of Prince Ra'ad ibn Zaid)|Iraqi royal family]]
* [[Jodhpur State|Jodhpur royal family]]
* [[Imams of Yemen|Yemeni royal family]]
 
===Asia===
* [[Barakzai dynasty|Afghan royal family]]
* [[Nawabs of Bengal and Murshidabad|Bengali royal family]]
* [[Konbaung dynasty|Burmese royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms and dominions|Ceylonese (Sri Lankan) royal family]]
* [[Chinese imperial family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms and dominions|Indian imperial family]]
** [[Gaekwad dynasty|Baroda royal family]]
** [[Nawab of Dhaka|Royal family of Dhaka]]
** [[Jodhpur State|Jodhpur royal family]]
** [[Wadiyar dynasty|Mysore royal family]] (Wadiyar dynasty)
* [[House of Yi|Korean imperial family]]
* [[House of Yi|Korean imperial family]]
* [[Lao Royal Family|Laotian royal family]]
* [[Lao Royal Family|Laotian royal family]]
* [[Aisin Gioro|Chinese imperial family]]
* [[Huraa dynasty|Maldivian sultanic family]]
* [[House of Mecklenburg#House of Mecklenburg today|Mecklenburg (Schwerin and Strelitz) grand ducal family]]
* [[House of Iturbide|Mexican imperial family]]
* [[House of Zhu|Ming imperial family]]
* [[Shah dynasty|Nepalese royal family]]
* [[Shah dynasty|Nepalese royal family]]
* [[List of kings of Rwanda|Rwandan royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms and dominions|Pakistani royal family]]
* [[Ottoman dynasty|Ottoman imperial family]]
* [[Bendahara dynasty|Singaporean sultanic family]]
* Uzbek royal families
** [[Khongirad|Khiva royal family]]
** [[Manghud|Bhukaran royal family]]
* [[Nguyễn dynasty|Vietnamese imperial family]]
 
===Europe===
* [[House of Zogu|Albanian royal family]]
* [[House of Habsburg|Austrian imperial family]]
* [[House of Habsburg|Bohemian (Czech) royal family]]
* [[Bulgarian royal family]]
* [[House of Habsburg|Croatian royal family]]
* [[House of Hesse|Finnish royal family]]
* [[House of Bonaparte|French imperial family]]
* [[Georgian royal family]]
* [[House of Hohenzollern#Brandenburg-Prussian branch since 1918 abdication|German imperial family]]
** [[House of Wittelsbach|Bavarian royal family]]
** [[House of Wettin|Saxon royal family]]
** [[House of Württemberg|Württemberg royal family]]
*** [[House of Zähringen|Baden grand ducal family]]
*** [[List of rulers of Hesse|Hessian grand ducal family]]
*** [[House of Mecklenburg#House of Mecklenburg today|Mecklenburg (Schwerin and Strelitz) grand ducal family]]
*** [[Duke of Holstein-Gottorp|Oldenburg grand ducal family]]
*** [[Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach|Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach grand ducal family]]
****[[House of Ascania|Anhalt ducal family]]
****[[House of Hanover|Brunswick ducal family]]
****[[House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha|Saxe-Coburg and Gotha ducal family]]
****[[Saxe-Meiningen|Saxe-Meiningen ducal family]]
*****[[House of Lippe|Lippe-Detmold princely family]]
* [[Greek royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms and dominions|Irish royal family]]
* [[House of Savoy|Italian royal family]]
* [[House of Habsburg|Hungarian royal family]]
* [[House of Urach|Lithuanian royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms and dominions|Maltese royal family]]
* [[Petrović-Njegoš dynasty|Montenegrin royal family]]
* [[House of Romanov|Polish royal family]] ([[Congress Poland]])
* [[House of Braganza|Portuguese royal family]]
* [[House of Braganza|Portuguese royal family]]
* [[Romanian royal family]]
* [[Romanian royal family]]
* [[House of Romanov|Russian imperial family]]
* [[House of Romanov|Russian imperial family]]
* [[Karađorđević dynasty|Serbian royal family]]
===Oceania===
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms and dominions|Fijian royal family]]
* [[Kingdom of Hawaii|Hawaiian royal family]]
* [[Kingdom of Hawaii|Hawaiian royal family]]
* [[House of Zhao|Song imperial family]]
 
* [[Imams of Yemen|Yemeni royal family]]
===North America===
* [[Karađorđević dynasty|Yugoslavian royal family]]
* [[Monarchy of Barbados|Barbadian royal family]]
}}
* [[Faustin Soulouque|Haitian imperial family]]
* [[House of Iturbide|Mexican imperial family]]
* [[House of Miskito|Miskito royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms and dominions|Trinidad and Tobago royal family]]
 
===South America===
[[File:Familia Imperial 1887.jpg|thumb|Emperor [[Pedro II of Brazil]] and other members of the [[Brazilian imperial family]] in [[Rio de Janeiro]], 1887]]
* [[Brazilian imperial family]]
* Mask of [[Ferdinand VII of Spain|Ferdinand VII]] context
** [[House of Bourbon#Bourbons of Spain and Italy|Argentine royal family]] ([[United Provinces of the Río de la Plata]])
** [[House of Bourbon#Bourbons of Spain and Italy|Chilean royal family]] ([[Patria Vieja|Kingdom of Chile]])
** [[House of Bourbon#Bourbons of Spain and Italy|Colombian royal family]] ([[Free and Independent State of Cundinamarca]])
** [[House of Bourbon#Bourbons of Spain and Italy|Venezuelan royal family]] ([[Supreme Junta]])
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms and dominions|Guyanese royal family]]


==Mediatised princely families==
==Mediatised princely families==
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* [[House of Merode|Merode princely family]] ([[Belgian nobility|Belgium]])
* [[House of Merode|Merode princely family]] ([[Belgian nobility|Belgium]])
* [[House of Schwarzenberg|Schwarzenberg princely family]] ([[Bohemian nobility|Bohemia]])
* [[House of Schwarzenberg|Schwarzenberg princely family]] ([[Bohemian nobility|Bohemia]])
* [[Thurn und Taxis|Thurn und Taxis princely family]] ([[German nobility|Germany]])
* [[House of Thurn und Taxis|Thurn und Taxis princely family]] ([[German nobility|Germany]])


==Dynasties==
==Dynasties==
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* [[Carolingian dynasty]]
* [[Carolingian dynasty]]
* [[County of Coimbra|House of Coimbra]]
* [[County of Coimbra|House of Coimbra]]
* [[Chakri Dynasty]] (House of Mahidol)
* [[Chakri dynasty]] (House of Mahidol)
* [[Dynasties in Chinese history|Dynasties of China]]
* [[Dynasties in Chinese history|Dynasties of China]]
** [[Xia dynasty]]
** [[Xia dynasty]]
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** [[Qing dynasty]]
** [[Qing dynasty]]
* [[Komnenos|Comnenian dynasty]]
* [[Komnenos|Comnenian dynasty]]
* [[Kingdom of Cochin|Cochin Royal Family]]
* [[Kingdom of Cochin|Cochin royal family]]
* [[Davidic line]]
* [[Davidic line]]
* [[House of Dlamini]]
* [[House of Dlamini]]
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* [[Ghassanids]]
* [[Ghassanids]]
** [[Al-Chemor]]
** [[Al-Chemor]]
** [[Gharios]]
* [[Giray dynasty]]
* [[Giray dynasty]]
* [[House of Grimaldi]]
* [[House of Grimaldi]]
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* [[House of Romanov|Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov]]
* [[House of Romanov|Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov]]
* [[:Category:Dynasties of India|Dynasties of India]]
* [[:Category:Dynasties of India|Dynasties of India]]
** [[House of Bhonsle]]
** [[Maurya Empire]]  
** [[Maurya Empire]]  
** [[Chalukya dynasty]]
** [[Chalukya dynasty]]
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** [[Gupta Empire|Gupta dynasty]]
** [[Gupta Empire|Gupta dynasty]]
** [[Kushan Empire|Kushan dynasty]]   
** [[Kushan Empire|Kushan dynasty]]   
**[[Oiniwar dynasty]] ([[Maithil Brahmin]]) royal family
** [[Mughal Empire|Mughal dynasty]]
** [[Mughal Empire|Mughal dynasty]]
** [[Peshwa|Peshwa dynasty]]
** [[Peshwa|Peshwa dynasty]]
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* [[Karađorđević dynasty|House of Karađorđević]]
* [[Karađorđević dynasty|House of Karađorđević]]
* [[Keita Dynasty]]
* [[Keita Dynasty]]
* [[Lao Royal Family|Khun Lo Dynasty]]
* [[Lao Royal Family|Khun Lo dynasty]]
* [[Banū Khuzaʽah]]
* [[Banū Khuzaʽah]]
* Hawaiian houses
* Hawaiian houses
Line 254: Line 324:
** [[O'Brien dynasty]] of [[Thomond]]
** [[O'Brien dynasty]] of [[Thomond]]
** [[Uí Ceinnselaig|MacMurrough Kavanagh]] of [[Leinster]]
** [[Uí Ceinnselaig|MacMurrough Kavanagh]] of [[Leinster]]
** [[MacCarthy]] of [[Kingdom of Desmond|Desmond]]
** [[MacCarthy dynasty|MacCarthy]] of [[Kingdom of Desmond|Desmond]]
** [[O'Rorke]] of [[Kingdom of Breifne|Breifne]]
** [[O'Rorke]] of [[Kingdom of Breifne|Breifne]]
** [[Eóganachta]]
** [[Eóganachta]]
Line 262: Line 332:
** [[Joseon|Joseon dynasty]] (House of Yi)
** [[Joseon|Joseon dynasty]] (House of Yi)
* [[House of Lancaster]]
* [[House of Lancaster]]
* [[House of Liechtenstein]]
* [[House of Lusignan]]
* [[House of Lusignan]]
* [[Merovingian dynasty]]
* [[Merovingian dynasty]]
Line 273: Line 344:
*** [[Deji of Akure|Omoremilekun Asodeboyede royal family of Akure]]
*** [[Deji of Akure|Omoremilekun Asodeboyede royal family of Akure]]
* [[House of Normandy]]
* [[House of Normandy]]
* [[House of Norodom]]
* [[Obrenović dynasty|House of Obrenović]]
* [[Obrenović dynasty|House of Obrenović]]
* [[House of Oldenburg]]
* [[House of Oldenburg]]
Line 282: Line 354:
* [[Ottoman dynasty]]
* [[Ottoman dynasty]]
* [[Pahlavi dynasty]]
* [[Pahlavi dynasty]]
* [[Palaiologos|Palaiologan dynasty]]
* [[Piast dynasty]]
* [[Piast dynasty]]
* [[House of Plantagenet]]
* [[House of Plantagenet]]
Line 295: Line 368:
* [[Solomonic dynasty]]
* [[Solomonic dynasty]]
* [[House of Stuart]]
* [[House of Stuart]]
* [[House of Sisowath]]
* [[House of Trastámara]]
* [[House of Trastámara]]
* [[Travancore royal family]]
* [[Travancore royal family]]
Line 306: Line 380:
* [[House of Wittelsbach]]
* [[House of Wittelsbach]]
* [[House of York]]
* [[House of York]]
* [[Yax Kuk Mo Dynasty]]
* [[Zand dynasty]]
* [[Zand dynasty]]
* [[House of Zogu]]
* [[House of Zogu]]
* [[House of Zhao]]
* [[House of Zhu]]
* The Senegambia ([[Senegal]] and [[the Gambia]])
* The Senegambia ([[Senegal]] and [[the Gambia]])
** [[Joof family|The Joof family]]
** [[Joof family|The Joof family]]
Line 314: Line 391:
** [[The Royal House of Semou Njekeh Joof]]
** [[The Royal House of Semou Njekeh Joof]]
** [[Lamane|The Lamanic Class]]
** [[Lamane|The Lamanic Class]]
** [[Guelowar|The Guelowar Dynasty]]
** [[Guelowar|The Guelowar dynasty]]
** [[:Category:Serer royalty|Serer royalty]]
** [[:Category:Serer royalty|Serer royalty]]
}}
}}


==See also==
==See also==
 
{{Portal|Royalty}}
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Abolition of monarchy|Abolished monarchy]]
* [[Abolition of monarchy|Abolished monarchy]]
* [[Babu (title)]]
* [[Born in the purple]]
* [[Born in the purple]]
* [[Chief of the Name]]
* [[Chief of the Name]]
Line 335: Line 413:
* [[Princeps]]
* [[Princeps]]
* [[Princess]]
* [[Princess]]
* [[Rai (title)]]
* [[Raja]]
* [[Raja]]
* [[Rana (title)]]
* [[Rana (title)]]
Line 351: Line 430:


==External links==
==External links==
* {{Commonscat-inline|Royal families}}
* {{Commons category-inline|Royal families}}


{{Monarchies}}
{{Monarchies}}

Latest revision as of 03:09, 14 February 2026


This article is about the monarchy-related concept. For other uses, see Royal family (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with Royal household.

Template:Monarchism A royal family is the immediate family of monarchs and sometimes their extended family.[1]

The term imperial family appropriately describes the family of an emperor or empress, and the term papal family describes the family of a pope, while the terms baronial family, comital family, ducal family, archducal family, grand ducal family, or princely family are more appropriate to describe, respectively, the relatives of a reigning baron, count/earl, duke, archduke, grand duke, or prince.

However, in common parlance members of any family which reigns by hereditary right are often referred to as royalty or "royals". It is also customary in some circles to refer to the extended relations of a deposed monarch and their descendants as a royal family. A dynasty is sometimes referred to as the "House of ...". In July 2013 there were 26 active sovereign dynasties in the world that ruled or reigned over 43 monarchies.[2]

Members of a royal family[edit | edit source]

The Royal Family of France in classical costume during the reign of Louis XIV.

A royal family typically includes the spouse of the reigning monarch, surviving spouses of a deceased monarch, the children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, and paternal cousins of the reigning monarch, as well as their spouses. In some cases, royal family membership may extend to great-grandchildren and more distant descendants of a monarch. In certain monarchies where voluntary abdication is the norm, such as the Netherlands, a royal family may also include one or more former monarchs. In certain instances, such as in Canada, the royal family is defined by who holds the styles Majesty and Royal Highness.[3] There is often a distinction between persons of the blood royal and those that marry into the royal family. Under most systems, only persons in the first category are dynasts, that is, potential successors to the throne (unless the member of the latter category is also in line to the throne in their own right, a frequent occurrence in royal families which frequently intermarry). This is not always observed; some monarchies have operated by the principle of jure uxoris.

In addition, certain relatives of the monarch (by blood or marriage) possess special privileges and are subject to certain statutes, conventions, or special common law. The precise functions of a royal family vary depending on whether the polity in question is an absolute monarchy, a constitutional monarchy, or somewhere in between. In certain monarchies, such as that found in Saudi Arabia or Kuwait, or in political systems where the monarch actually exercises executive power, such as in Jordan, it is not uncommon for the members of a royal family to hold important government posts or military commands. In most constitutional monarchies, however, members of a royal family perform certain public, social, or ceremonial functions, but refrain from any involvement in electoral politics or the actual governance of the country.

The specific composition of royal families varies from country to country, as do the titles and royal and noble styles held by members of the family. The composition of the royal family may be regulated by statute enacted by the legislature (e.g., Spain, the Netherlands, and Japan since 1947), the sovereign's prerogative and common law tradition (e.g., the United Kingdom), or a private house law (e.g., Liechtenstein, the former ruling houses of Bavaria, Prussia, Hanover, etc.). Public statutes, constitutional provisions, or conventions may also regulate the marriages, names, and personal titles of royal family members. The members of a royal family may or may not have a surname or dynastic name (see Royal House).

In a constitutional monarchy, when the monarch dies, there is always a law or tradition of succession to the throne that either specifies a formula for identifying the precise order of succession among family members in line to the throne or specifies a process by which a family member is chosen to inherit the crown. Usually in the former case the exact line of hereditary succession among royal individuals may be identified at any given moment during prior reigns (e.g. United Kingdom, Sark, Nizari Ismailis, Japan, Balobedus, Sweden, Kingdom of Benin) whereas in the latter case the next sovereign may be selected (or changed) only during the reign or shortly after the demise of the immediately preceding monarch (e.g. Cambodia, KwaZulu Natal, Buganda, Saudi Arabia, Swaziland, Yorubaland, The Kingitanga). Some monarchies employ a mix of these selection processes (Malaysia, Monaco, Tonga, Jordan, Morocco), providing for both an identifiable line of succession as well as authority for the monarch, dynasty or other institution to alter the line in specific instances without changing the general law of succession.

Some countries have abolished royalty altogether, as in post-revolutionary France (1870), post-revolutionary Russia (1917), Portugal (1910), post-war Germany (1918), post-war Italy (1946) and many ex European colonies.

Current royal families[edit | edit source]

Template:Royal and noble ranks of West, Central, and Southern Asia

Africa[edit | edit source]

Middle East[edit | edit source]

Asia[edit | edit source]

Europe[edit | edit source]

Oceania[edit | edit source]

North America[edit | edit source]

Deposed royal families[edit | edit source]

Africa[edit | edit source]

Middle East[edit | edit source]

Asia[edit | edit source]

Europe[edit | edit source]

Oceania[edit | edit source]

North America[edit | edit source]

South America[edit | edit source]

Emperor Pedro II of Brazil and other members of the Brazilian imperial family in Rio de Janeiro, 1887

Mediatised princely families[edit | edit source]

Whilst mediatization occurred in other countries such as France, Italy and Russia, only the certain houses within the former Holy Roman Empire are collectively called the Mediatized Houses.

Dynasties[edit | edit source]

Main article: List of dynasties

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Hazell, Robert; Morris, Bob (17 September 2020). The Role of Monarchy in Modern Democracy: European Monarchies Compared. Bloomsbury. ISBN 978-1-5099-3103-3.
  2. ↑ Meet the world's other 25 royal families
  3. ↑ "Department of National Defence: The Honours, Flags and Heritage Structure of the Canadian Forces; pg 281" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-03-25. Retrieved 2007-06-26.

External links[edit | edit source]

Template:Monarchies

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