Royal Families: Top 11 Most Googled Questions Answered

You’ve probably wondered how many royal families still exist, which one is the richest, or whether celebrities are secretly related to the crown. These questions pop up constantly online, but separating fact from fiction isn’t always straightforward. This article pulls together authoritative sources to answer the most Googled questions about royal families, from King Charles’s eating habits to the true scale of dynastic wealth.

Current monarchies worldwide: 43 sovereign states ·
Richest royal family: House of Saud (estimated $1.4 trillion) ·
European monarchies: 12 ·
Title of a king’s wife: Queen consort ·
King Charles III’s age: 75 (as of 2024)

Four snapshot facts in one view: Japan’s monarchy is the oldest continuous one, there are 15 Commonwealth realms, the House of Saud is the largest royal family by membership, and the British royal family leads in social media followers.

How many royal families are there?

There are 43 sovereign states with a monarch as head of state, including 15 Commonwealth realms where the British monarch is the ceremonial head. Europe alone has 12 monarchies, 10 of which are led by a royal family. According to the Royal Family website (official Commonwealth data), this figure includes constitutional monarchies like the United Kingdom and absolute monarchies like Saudi Arabia.

How many royal families are there in Europe?

• Europe hosts 12 monarchies: the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Spain, Andorra (co-princes), and Vatican City (elective monarchy).
• 10 of these are led by a hereditary royal family, according to the European Union’s overview of European monarchies.

List of current monarchies around the world

The split across regions shows a clear pattern: Europe has 12 monarchies, Asia has 13 (including absolute monarchies like Saudi Arabia and constitutional ones like Japan), Africa has 3 (Lesotho, Morocco, Eswatini), and Oceania has 5 (including Commonwealth realms). The Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference on monarchy types) provides a full breakdown by region.

The implication: The number of monarchies is stable, but their power varies greatly by region.

Who is the richest royal family?

The Saudi royal family (House of Saud) is widely considered the richest, with an estimated wealth exceeding $1.4 trillion. However, this figure is not publicly audited — it includes state assets, oil revenues, and private holdings. According to Fair Observer (analysis of royal wealth), the Thai royal family is also among the wealthiest with assets estimated at tens of billions.

Which royal family has the highest net worth?

One comparative account states Thailand’s King Vajiralongkorn is the world’s richest monarch, with an estimated net worth of about $43 billion. Meanwhile, Business Insider’s 2018 ranking listed King Vajiralongkorn at $30 billion, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei at $20 billion, and King Salman of Saudi Arabia at $18 billion, as summarized by Wikipedia (Business Insider ranking summary).

How is the wealth of royal families measured?

Wealth estimates vary wildly because different methodologies include or exclude state-owned assets, crown jewels, and real estate. The British royal family’s collective fortune has been estimated between $28 billion and $90 billion, according to Fair Observer (wealth comparison research). The wide range reflects the challenge of separating personal from institutional wealth.

Eight entries, one pattern: the gap between the richest and poorest royal families is enormous, with Thai and Gulf monarchies dwarfing their European counterparts by orders of magnitude. The pattern: wealth rankings diverge sharply depending on whether state assets are included — European royals’ personal fortunes are modest compared to Middle Eastern or Southeast Asian dynasties whose wealth is tied to natural resources.

How is Johnny Depp related to Queen Elizabeth?

Johnny Depp is not biologically related to Queen Elizabeth II. This persistent myth likely originated from his role in the 2004 film The Libertine and fan speculation, but no credible genealogical evidence supports a connection. According to Snopes (fact-checking the claim), the rumor has no factual basis.

Are Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth related?

Donald Trump is also not related to Queen Elizabeth II by blood. Despite occasional social media claims about distant royal ancestry, genealogists have found no direct link. The FactCheck.org (genealogy analysis) confirms that Trump’s family tree does not intersect with the British monarchy in any verified way.

What did Princess Diana call Prince Philip?

Princess Diana referred to Prince Philip as “Papa” as a term of endearment, a detail confirmed by multiple royal biographies. According to Town & Country (royal terminology report), the affectionate nickname reflected their close relationship despite the well-documented tensions within the marriage.

What this means: Celebrity-royal connection rumors are almost always unfounded.

Related: Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon: Life, Love, Legacy

What does a king call his wife?

A king’s wife is called a queen consort. This title is distinct from a queen regnant, who rules in her own right. According to the Royal Family website (official guide to titles), the term “queen consort” signifies the wife of a reigning king — she shares his social rank and status but does not hold sovereign power.

What is the title of the king’s wife?

• Queen consort: The wife of a reigning king (e.g., Queen Camilla, wife of King Charles III).
• Queen regnant: A female monarch who rules in her own right (e.g., Queen Elizabeth II).
• Queen dowager: The widow of a king, as per Encyclopaedia Britannica (royal titles definition).

Who controls the royal family?

In constitutional monarchies, the royal family is governed by tradition, law, and the reigning monarch’s authority — but actual political power lies with the elected government. For example, the British monarchy operates under the principle that “the King reigns but does not rule,” as explained by UK Parliament (constitutional monarchy explanation). In absolute monarchies like Saudi Arabia, the king retains direct executive control.

What is King Charles’ favorite food?

King Charles’s favorite food reportedly includes organic produce and simple dishes. He is known to love eggs and avoids refined foods, favoring farm-fresh ingredients. According to Daily Express (royal lifestyle reporting), his diet reflects his long-standing commitment to organic farming and sustainability.

Is Queen Camilla a drinker?

Queen Camilla’s son has publicly dispelled rumors about her drinking; no credible evidence supports claims of excessive consumption. The claim appears to stem from unsubstantiated tabloid speculation. A Tatler (royal rumor debunking) feature notes that Camilla’s lifestyle is generally moderate and her public appearances show no indication of the rumored behavior.

Why do Kate and William eat separately?

Prince William and Kate Middleton sometimes eat separately due to different dietary preferences or scheduling needs, according to royal sources. Former royal chef Darren McGrady has explained that the couple’s separate meals are more about practicality than relationship dynamics, as reported by Insider (royal household insights). The reality is far less dramatic than internet speculation suggests.

The catch: Many viral stories about royal diets lack credible evidence.

Confirmed facts and what remains unclear

The bottom line: Royal families continue to fascinate, but much of what circulates online is unsupported by evidence.