Welcome to the world of royal families, where intrigue, scandal, and romance reign supreme. You’ve probably heard of at least some of them, like the House of Windsor or the House of Bourbon, but apparently, many more are still around.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast or just love sinking your teeth into a good scandal, prepare for a royal tour like no other.
1. The Swedish Royalty – House of Bernadotte
Sweden has a modern monarchy, with King Carl XVI Gustaf holding the reins for 50 years. But his reign hasn’t been without drama. Allegations from Thomas Sjöberg’s book “The Reluctant Monarch” stirred the pot, suggesting the king hit up some wild parties back in the day. He even hired an ex-gangster for a hefty sum to hush things up. In 2019, Carl XVI shook things up again, stripping most of his grandkids of their royal titles, leaving them just for Crown Princess Victoria’s kids.
Speaking of Victoria, she’s been in the spotlight since she was 2, when she became the heir apparent, beating out her bro Prince Carl Philip. She married Prince Daniel in 2010, and they’ve got a couple of kids. Then there’s Princess Madeleine, who married Christopher O’Neill and set up camp in Florida. O’Neill skipped out on Swedish citizenship, so no prince title for him. As for Carl Philip, he married Princess Sofia in 2015, who’s had her share of controversy thanks to her reality TV past and some steamy photoshoots. Thanks to all the drama, the Swedish royal family knows how to keep things interesting!
2. The Luxembourg Royals – House of Nassau-Weilburg
The Luxembourg royal fam, led by Grand Duke Henri, holds a big role in this tiny country’s monarchy. Henri took over from his dad, Grand Duke Jean, back in 2000. He’s now married to Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, and they’ve got a bunch of kids, including the next in line, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume. But things got a bit rocky in 2023 when reports surfaced about Maria Teresa not being the nicest boss to her staff.
Meanwhile, their son, Prince Louis, split from his wife, Princess Tessy, in 2019. The media had a field day with the divorce, and it even went to court in London, shedding light on some peculiar financial transactions. Despite the drama, Louis and Tessy’s early years together seemed all lovey-dovey, with their two boys, Gabriel and Noah, adding to the family’s joy. But it wasn’t until later that Tessy officially joined the royal party.
3. The Spanish Royals – House of Bourbon
King Juan Carlos I ruled Spain for 39 years until his scandalous elephant-hunting trip in 2012 raised some very bushy eyebrows. The extravagant adventure sparked controversy, with Spain facing economic issues, leading to Juan Carlos’ abdication in 2014.
In 2020, amidst tax allegations, he chose self-imposed exile, prompting King Felipe VI to disclaim his inheritance and pension. Felipe ascended the throne in 2014 alongside Queen Letizia and their two daughters, Leonor and Sofía. Since then, we’ve seen the princesses grow into beautiful ladies. In 2023, it was announced that Princess Leonor would be doing three years of military training. The Spanish royal family also includes Felipe’s two elder sisters and their six children.
4. The British Royals – House of Windsor
When it comes to royalty, the British royal family steals the spotlight. After Queen Elizabeth II’s solemn passing, King Charles III’s coronation made history. Elizabeth’s reign, spanning an incredible 70 years, saw a whirlwind of weddings, divorces, and new heirs.
Now, Prince Charles has his loyal companions, including Camilla, with her exquisite collection of different controversies. Prince William and his college sweetheart, Catherine, tied the knot in a fairytale-style wedding at Westminster Abbey. Their adorable children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, will carry on the Windsor legacy. Then there’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who’ve chosen to break free from the shackles of royal traditions. A little bit of everything for everyone!
5. The Dutch Royals – House of Orange-Nassau
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands tied the knot in 2002 despite having some legal issues with the Queen’s father doing weird stuff in Argentina. They welcomed their first daughter, Princess Catharina-Amalia, in 2003, who’s currently the first in line for the throne. She’s got two younger sisters, Princesses Alexia and Ariane, but the royal family hit a rough patch when they got flak for taking a trip to Greece during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. King Willem-Alexander owned up to it, but the controversy didn’t end there. They caught more heat for throwing a huge part for Princess Amalia’s 18th birthday the next year, with barely anybody wearing facemasks, throwing caution to the wind.
6. The Danish Royals – House of Glücksburg
Queen Margrethe II dropped a bombshell of historic proportions on New Year’s Eve 2023 by announcing her abdication after ruling Denmark for over 70 years. King Frederik X stepped up to the plate in January 2024, with his son, Crown Prince Christian, following suit as the heir apparent.
But Margrethe’s timing was very suspicious, especially with rumors swirling around her son, Frederik. He made headlines in October 2023 over some cozy pics with a Mexican socialite during a trip to Madrid. And that’s not all! Margrethe stirred the pot in 2022 by stripping four of her grandkids of their titles, which didn’t sit well with Prince Joachim and his ex, Countess Alexandra. Despite the family drama, King Frederik and Queen Mary had Margrethe’s back, showing they’re a united crew.
7. The Belgium Royals – House of Belgium
King Philippe took over the Royal duties in 2013 after his dad, King Albert II, stepped down. His marriage to Queen Mathilde in ’99 was a big deal, as she became the first Belgian Queen born and raised in the country. They’ve got four kids, including Princess Elisabeth, who’s next in line for the throne. In 2020, things got spicy when Princess Delphine’s paternity came into question. Turns out, she’s secretly King Albert II’s lovechild from an affair with Baroness Sybille de Selys Longchamps. Gasp!
Despite some legal back-and-forth, Delphine got her royal title and daddy’s acknowledgment. But not all’s been smooth sailing. Prince Laurent got in trouble for money stuff, like trying to pass off groceries and ski trips as state expenses. The drama continued with allegations of fraud and shady dealings with Libyan businesses in 2023. What a royal rollercoaster!
