The Definitive List Of Reigning Queens Around The World
There's more to these reigning queens than tiaras and tulle.
Ashley Reign
It's no secret that reigning queens are some of the most influential and admired women around the world. From Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom to Queen Letizia of Spain, these real-life reigning royals sure do live the life of luxury.
Get to know the reigning Queens around the world with this list of well-known royal monarchs, including brief biographies of each. Though the absolute monarchy may be an idea that went out long ago, the world still hosts a handful of countries that boast women they call their Queen.
Here you'll find a collection of some of the World's most well known Queens as well as fun facts from the biographies of each.
While they may not wield an iron hand, these women still carry on the traditions of the crown while maintaining beauty, grace, and dignity among their people.
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Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, perhaps one of the most famous monarchs in the world, has enjoyed the longest reign in British history. Earlier this year, she celebrated 65 years on the throne with her Sapphire Jubilee.
Born Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary in 1926, in London, the future queen was the daughter of then Prince Albert, Duke of York (later known as King George VI), and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. Queen Elizabeth became Queen in 1952, was crowned in 1953, and has tried to maintain the delicate balance of the more modern duties of British monarchy while honoring the traditions associated with the crown.
Her son, Prince Charles is the current heir to her throne and she has two well-known, dashing grandsons, Princes William and Harry.
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark
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Queen Margrethe II was royalty from the moment she was born at the Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen in 1940. The first child of her parents, the then Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Ingrid of Denmark, she was dubbed "Her Royal Highness Princess Margrethe".
Though throughout her early childhood, only males could ascend to the Danish throne, in 1953 a new act was passed, declaring that brother-less females could indeed ascend the thrown, and at 13 the Princess became a royal heir.
When she's not tending to her royal duties, Queen Margrethe loves painting and even sent some of her drawings to J.R.R. Tolkien, who was so taken by her illustrations that they were published in the Danish edition of The Lord of the Rings under a pseudonym.
Queen Letizia of Spain
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Before marrying Spanish King Felipe VI, the future Queen Letizia had already made a name for herself in the limelight as a well known TV presenter and journalist. She was even named 2002's best Spanish journalist under 30, before she met her husband to be.
Though now living royal life, Queen Letizia, who is also well known for her incredible sense of style and her husband King Felipe love driving their children Leonor and Sofia to school themselves.
Queen Jetsun Pema of Bhutan
Queen Jetsun Pema, a commoner turned Queen, and her husband "Dragon King" Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, are often called the Will and Kate of the Himalayas. Born in 1990, Jetsun Pema grew up in Thimphu and studied abroad in India, before meeting her future husband, whom she wed in 2011.
The couple's wedding ceremony would become the biggest televised media event in Bhutan's history. Aside from her royal duties, Queen Jetsun Perma's interests include fine arts, painting, and basketball. When she was in school, she was even captain of her school's basketball team.
Queen Rania of Jordan was married to her husband King Abdullah II, in 1993, a mere six months after they experienced love at first sight. Not only has she gone on to become Jordan's beloved Queen, she's also an author of children's books, one of which entitle "The Sandwich Swap" became a New York Times bestseller.
She and King Abdullah have had four children together, Crown Prince Hussein, Princess Iman, Princess Salma and Prince Hashem.
Queen Sonja of Norway
Back in the 1960's, when then Prince Harald announced his intention to marry the future Queen Sonja of Norway, he was met with hesitation due to the fact that she was a commoner. The future King stuck to his guns however, announcing that if he couldn't marry Sonja, he would refuse to marry at all!
Not only did the couple go on to wed, this year they celebrated 50 years of marriage as well as the fact that they both recently turned 80. Queen Sonja, who looks decades younger than her age, has become just as beloved as King Harald by the people of Norway and is known for her chic, classic style and cheerful demeanor.
Queen Silvia first met her future husband, the then Crown Prince Carl Gustaf of Sweden during the 1972 Summer Olympics in Germany. A year later Prince Carl became King and three years later would ask Siliva to marry him.
Their 1976 wedding at Stockholm Cathedral drew an audience of royals from around the world, as it was the first wedding of a reigning Swedish monarch since 1797. As a tribute to the future Queen Silvia, the band ABBA performed their smash hit "Dancing Queen" on national television the night before her wedding.
Queen Mathilde of Belgium
Queen Mathilde of Belgium was born no stranger to nobility, as her parents where Count and Countess Patrick d'Udekem d'Acoz, also of Belgium. She met her future husband, Prince Philippe during a tennis match and he proposed to the future Queen three years later.
Often regarded as one of the best-dressed women on Earth, Queen Mathilde and her husband are the proud parents of four children, named Princess Elisabeth, Prince Gabriel, Prince Emmanuel, and Princess Eléonore.
Queen Máxima of The Netherlands