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{{Short description|Family of a monarch}}{{About|the monarchy-related concept}}
{{Short description|Family of a monarch}}{{About|the monarchy-related concept}}
{{distinguish|Royal Household}}
{{distinguish|Royal household}}
{{pp-semi-indef}}
{{pp-semi-indef}}
{{Refimprove|date=July 2008}}
{{Refimprove|date=July 2008}}
{{Monarchism |expanded=all}}
{{Monarchism |expanded=all}}
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.
{{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>
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>
{{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>
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[[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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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.


=== Other Family Members ===
[[HRH]] Prince Frederico Fernando Jesus Leon [[Castile (historical region)|Castille]] of [[Spain]]
[[File:Princley_pursuits..jpg|thumb]]
Born [[Pirzada]] Gilani Faiz-Ul-Haq [[Khan]] [[Afridi]] [[Syed]] in [[Wandsworth, London]] (1992), he now resides in [[Wimbledon]].

The eldest [[IVF]] born son of the current [[King of Spain]], [[King Felipe VI]].

Was educated at [[Homefield Preparatory School]], [[Kingston Grammar School]], [[Mander Portman Woodward]] and [[Regent's University London]].

He was raised by his [[surrogate]] parents in London, under a multi [[millionaire]] non-domicile household to [[Pashtun]] parents. His surrogate parents were both originally born in [[Pakistan]] where they were both boarding school educated. They were both biological donors in his birth with blood donation from both his mother and sperm and egg donations from his [[surrogate]] mother. His father attended [[Harvard]] and his mother attended [[London College of Fashion]].

His ancestry from his surrogate father include the ancestry of [[Jesus Christ]], the [[Prophet Muhammad]], [[Moses]], [[Abraham]] and other [[Biblical]] and [[Quranic]] figures, alongside those of [[Genghis Khan]], [[Alexander the Great]] and [[Saint George]]. He is related through his Paternal grandmother to [[Sir Syed]] . His father is a [[Sheikh]]. He is of [[Eurasian]] descent.

His surrogate mother's father recreated [[Indian food]] and is the [[Aristocratic]] family of [[Rajasthan]] [[India]] and [[Kabul]] [[Afghanistan]]. She is of [[Central Asian]] descent.

His [[IVF]] donors included [[King Felipe]] sperm donation, [[Queen Elizabeth II]], [[Queen Rania]] of [[Jordan]] the sister of the [[Ruler of Dubai]] and genetic fibre from an [[African Lion]] in [[South Africa]].

In 2018 The [[Associated Press]] were given a [[gagging order]] to prohibit the release of a [[sex tape]] with a local woman living in the [[UAE]], originally from [[Russia]] where they had met in the [[Burj Khalifa]] and had [[pre-marital sex]], which is forbidden in the [[Arab]] world.

He is a [[Black Belt]] in [[Tang Soo Do]].


==Current royal families==
==Current royal families==
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===Oceania===
===Oceania===
* [[Monarchy of Australia|Australian royal family]]
* [[Monarchy of Australia|Australian royal family]]
* [[Monarchy of New Zealand|New Zealander royal family]]
* [[Monarchy of New Zealand|New Zealand royal family]]
* [[Monarchy of Papua New Guinea|Papuan royal family]]
* [[Monarchy of Papua New Guinea|Papuan royal family]]
* [[Monarchy of the Solomon Islands|Solomon Islands royal family]]
* [[Monarchy of the Solomon Islands|Solomon Islands royal family]]
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* [[Muhammad Ali dynasty|Egyptian royal family]]
* [[Muhammad Ali dynasty|Egyptian royal family]]
* [[Solomonic dynasty|Ethiopian imperial family]]
* [[Solomonic dynasty|Ethiopian imperial family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms|Gambian royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms and dominions|Gambian royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms|Ghanaian royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms and dominions|Ghanaian royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms|Kenyan royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms and dominions|Kenyan royal family]]
* [[Senusiyya|Lybian royal family]]
* [[Senusiyya|Libyan royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms|Malawian royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms and dominions|Malawian royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms|Mauritian royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms and dominions|Mauritian royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms|Nigerian royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms and dominions|Nigerian royal family]]
* [[List of kings of Rwanda|Rwandan royal family]]
* [[List of kings of Rwanda|Rwandan royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms|Rhodesian (Zimbabwean) royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms and dominions|Rhodesian (Zimbabwean) royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms|Sierra Leonean royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms and dominions|Sierra Leonean royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms|South African royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms and dominions|South African royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms|Tanganykan (Tanzanian) royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms and dominions|Tanganykan (Tanzanian) royal family]]
* [[Husainid dynasty|Tunisian royal family]]
* [[Husainid dynasty|Tunisian royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms|Ugandan royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms and dominions|Ugandan royal family]]
* [[List of kings of Burundi|Umurundi royal family]]
* [[List of kings of Burundi|Umurundi royal family]]


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* [[Nawabs of Bengal and Murshidabad|Bengali royal family]]
* [[Nawabs of Bengal and Murshidabad|Bengali royal family]]
* [[Konbaung dynasty|Burmese royal family]]
* [[Konbaung dynasty|Burmese royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms|Ceylonese (Sri Lankan) royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms and dominions|Ceylonese (Sri Lankan) royal family]]
* [[Aisin Gioro|Chinese imperial family]]
* [[Chinese imperial family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms|Indian imperial family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms and dominions|Indian imperial family]]
** [[Gaekwad dynasty|Baroda royal family]]
** [[Gaekwad dynasty|Baroda royal family]]
** [[Nawab of Dhaka|Royal family of Dhaka]]
** [[Nawab of Dhaka|Royal family of Dhaka]]
** [[Jodhpur State|Jodhpur royal family]]
** [[Jodhpur State|Jodhpur royal family]]
** [[Wadiyar dynasty|Mysore roya Family]] (Wadiyar Dynasty)
** [[Wadiyar dynasty|Mysore roya 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]]
* [[Huraa dynasty|Maldivian sultanic family]]
* [[Huraa dynasty|Maldivian sultanic family]]
* [[Shah dynasty|Nepalese royal family]]
* [[Shah dynasty|Nepalese royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms|Pakistani royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms and dominions|Pakistani royal family]]
* [[Bendahara dynasty|Singaporean sultanic family]]
* [[Bendahara dynasty|Singaporean sultanic family]]
* [[Khongirad|Khiva (Turkmen) royal family]]
* Uzbek royal families
* [[Manghud|Bhukaran (Uzbek) royal family]]
** [[Khongirad|Khiva royal family]]
⚫
** [[Manghud|Bhukaran royal family]]
* [[Nguyễn dynasty|Vietnamese imperial family]]
* [[Nguyễn dynasty|Vietnamese imperial family]]


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* [[House of Habsburg|Croatian royal family]]
* [[House of Habsburg|Croatian royal family]]
* [[House of Hesse|Finnish royal family]]
* [[House of Hesse|Finnish royal family]]
⚫
* [[Georgian royal family]]
* [[House of Bonaparte|French imperial family]]
* [[House of Bonaparte|French imperial family]]
* [[Georgian royal family]]
* [[House of Hohenzollern#Brandenburg-Prussian branch since 1918 abdication|German imperial family]]
* [[House of Hohenzollern#Brandenburg-Prussian branch since 1918 abdication|German imperial family]]
** [[House of Wittelsbach|Bavarian royal family]]
** [[House of Wittelsbach|Bavarian royal family]]
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*****[[House of Lippe|Lippe-Detmold princely family]]
*****[[House of Lippe|Lippe-Detmold princely family]]
* [[Greek royal family]]
* [[Greek royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms|Irish royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms and dominions|Irish royal family]]
* [[House of Savoy|Italian royal family]]
* [[House of Savoy|Italian royal family]]
* [[House of Habsburg|Hungarian royal family]]
* [[House of Habsburg|Hungarian royal family]]
* [[House of Urach|Lithuanian royal family]]
* [[House of Urach|Lithuanian royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms|Maltese royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms and dominions|Maltese royal family]]
* [[Petrović-Njegoš dynasty|Montenegrin royal family]]
* [[Petrović-Njegoš dynasty|Montenegrin royal family]]
* [[House of Romanov|Polish royal family]] ([[Congress Poland]])
* [[House of Romanov|Polish royal family]] ([[Congress Poland]])
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===Oceania===
===Oceania===
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms|Fijian royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms and dominions|Fijian royal family]]
* [[Kingdom of Hawaii|Hawaiian royal family]]
* [[Kingdom of Hawaii|Hawaiian royal family]]


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* [[Faustin Soulouque|Haitian imperial family]]
* [[Faustin Soulouque|Haitian imperial family]]
* [[House of Iturbide|Mexican imperial family]]
* [[House of Iturbide|Mexican imperial family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms|Trinidad and Tobago royal family]]
* [[House of Miskito|Miskito royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms and dominions|Trinidad and Tobago royal family]]


===South America===
===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]]
* [[Brazilian imperial family]]
* Mask of [[Ferdinand VII of Spain|Ferdinand VII]] context
* Mask of [[Ferdinand VII of Spain|Ferdinand VII]] context
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** [[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|Colombian royal family]] ([[Free and Independent State of Cundinamarca]])
** [[House of Bourbon#Bourbons of Spain and Italy|Venezuelan royal family]] ([[Supreme Junta]])
** [[House of Bourbon#Bourbons of Spain and Italy|Venezuelan royal family]] ([[Supreme Junta]])
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms|Guyanese royal family]]
* [[Commonwealth realm#Former realms and dominions|Guyanese royal family]]


==Mediatised princely families==
==Mediatised princely families==
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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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** [[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
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** [[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]]
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* [[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]]
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** [[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]]
}}
}}
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{{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]]
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* [[Princeps]]
* [[Princeps]]
* [[Princess]]
* [[Princess]]
* [[Rai (title)]]
* [[Raja]]
* [[Raja]]
* [[Rana (title)]]
* [[Rana (title)]]

Latest revision as of 10:42, 11 December 2024

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

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A royal family is the immediate family of kings/queens, emirs/emiras, sultans/sultanas, or raja/rani and sometimes their extended family.

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.[1]

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.[2]

Members of a royal family

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

Part of a series on
Imperial, royal, noble, gentry and chivalric ranks in West, Central, South Asia and North Africa

Africa

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Asia

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Deposed royal families

Africa

Middle East

Asia

Europe

Oceania

North America

South America

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

Mediatised princely families

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

Main article: List of dynasties

See also

References

  1. ^ Meet the world's other 25 royal families
  2. ^ Jenkins, Simon (13 March 2021). "Britain's royal family is an accident waiting to happen. Prince Charles should dismantle it". The Guardian.
  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.
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