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This is a list of currently reigning monarchs in their respective nations or sub-nations. Monarchs who were deposed or who ruled an abolished monarchy appear separately.
Former states of the British Aden Protectorate were united in the 1960s to form the People's Republic of South Yemen, which became independent on 30 November 1967. South Yemen later merged with its northern counterpart to form the modern state of Yemen in 1990.
Following the Partition of India in 1947, the majority of princely states in the subcontinent asceded to either the Dominion of Pakistan or the Union of India. Official recognition of hereditary royal entitlements and accompanying privy purses were abolished in the Republic of India through a constitutional amendment on 28 December 1971. Royal titles in Pakistan were abolished in January 1972. In many cases, members of the former ruling families of princely states retain a considerable degree of social prestige, and in some instances political influence, in their communities. Many leaders are often still referred to by their claimed titles.
Succession is not based upon primogeniture. The reigning king selects who will be his successor, whom might not necessarily be his eldest son.
The heir is appointed by the reigning emir, and the nomination must also be approved by a majority of members in the National Assembly. The throne is also traditionally alternated between the two main branches of the Al Sabah family: the Al Salem and Al Jaber. The current emir is of the Al Jaber branch.
^ Monarchy is constitutional by law, but remains absolute in practice.
The Al Saud are a clan descended from the Hanifa tribe.
Succession, whilst hereditary, is not determined by primogeniture or any other law of succession. Instead, it is based on the consensus of the House of Saud as to who will be Crown Prince; consensus may change depending on the Crown Prince's actions. In effect, this makes the Saudi monarchy elective within the Saud family.
^ The Al Nahyan are a branch of the Al Falahi, a clan of the Yas tribe.
The Prime Minister is the head of the government, but the position, whilst elective, can only be held by one of the reigning monarchs of the seven constituent emirates.
According to the Constitution, the President of the United Arab Emirates is elected by the Federal Supreme Council from among the individual rulers of the seven emirates. However, by informal agreement the Presidency is always passed to the head of the Al Nahyan clan, the Emir of Abu Dhabi, which makes it a de facto hereditary position. In addition, the elected Prime Minister has always been the head of the Al Maktoum clan and Emir of Dubai.
The emirates, whilst absolute at the regional level, also forfeit a portion of their sovereignty and administrative power to the federal government.
The Al Maktoum are a branch of the Al Falasi, a clan of the Yas tribe.
The Al Sharqi are a branch of the Sharqiyyin tribe.
^ The Al Qasimi are a branch of the Al Qawasim tribe.
Another claimant to the throne (since 1956) is Sharif Ali bin al-Hussein, of the same family, but his claim is not regarded to fulfil the requirements of the former monarchy's laws of succession. Furthermore, his reigning Hāshemite relatives in Jordan have supported Ra'ad's claim, rather than Sharif Ali's.
Ra'ad's father, Prince Zeid, was appointed Head of the Royal House of Iraq following the assassination of King Faisal II during the coup d'état in 1958. Zeid was the son of Hussein bin Ali, King of Hejaz.
The sultans of the Ottoman Empire also held the title Caliph of Islam, thus claiming to be the spiritual leaders of all Muslims. The Ottoman Caliphate was abolished by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey in 1924.
Retrospectively known as North Yemen. It later united with South Yemen in 1990 to form the modern state of Yemen.
^ Had previously reigned as sultan prior to the monarchy's abolition in 1967.
Nasir previously reigned as sultan from 1947 until the monarchy was abolished in 1967.
Awad previously reigned as sultan from 1935 until the monarchy was abolished in 1967.
Salih previously reigned as emir from his birth, in 1935, until the monarchy was deposed in 1967.
Shafaul previously reigned as emir from 1954 until the monarchy was deposed in 1967.
Nasser previously reigned as sultan from 1964 until the monarchy was abolished in 1967.
Faisal previously reigned as sultan from 1955 until the monarchy was abolished in 1967.
Also known as Seiyun or Say'un after its capital city.
Husayn previously reigned as sultan from 24 April 1949 until the monarchy was abolished in 1967.
Fadl VI previously reigned as sultan from 8 December 1958 until the monarchy was abolished in 1967. Immediately prior to his formal ascension to the throne, he had served as acting sultan since 10 July 1958.
Also known as Qishn and Socotra, after its capital city and the island of Socotra.
Abdullah previously reigned as sultan from 1966 until the monarchy was abolished in 1967.
A clan of the Afrar tribe.
Also known as Shihr and Mukalla, after its two capital cities: Ash Shihr and Al Mukalla.
Ghalib II previously reigned as sultan from 10 October 1966 until the monarchy was deposed in 1967.
Known as Balhaf and Azzan from 1881, signifying Balhaf's merge with Wahidi Azzan. Known simply as Wahidi from 1962, when the sultanates of Wahidi Bir Ali and Wahidi Haban were made subordinate.
Prince Ali held the position of hakim (regent) from 20 February 1967 until the sultanate's abolition in August of the same year. He was never crowned sultan.
Alawi previously reigned as sultan from 1955 until the monarchy was abolished in 1967. Before his reign ended, he was made subordinate to the Sultan of Balhaf and Azzan on 23 October 1962.
Husayn had previously reigned as sultan prior to the monarchy's abolition in 1967. Before his reign ended, he was made subordinate to the Sultan of Balhaf and Azzan on 23 October 1962.
^ A clan of the Yafa tribe. The Yafai are divided into ten sheikhdoms that were spread across the former sultanates of Lower Yafa and Upper Yafa.
Muhammad previously reigned as sultan from 1948 until the monarchy was deposed in 1967.
Asia
The king is selected for life by the Royal Council of the Throne from amongst candidates of royal blood.
Official title: Yang di-Pertuan Agong. It is commonly rendered in English as "King".
The current Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the Sultan of Terengganu, whose ruling line is the House of Bendahara.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong (Supreme Head of State) is elected to a five-year term by and from amongst the nine hereditary rulers of the Malay states, who form the Council of Rulers. The position has to date been, by informal agreement, systematically rotated between the nine; the order was originally based on seniority.
While state law requires that all provincial governors be elected, in the case of Yogyakarta, the sultan is given priority during elections, and therefore is always the default governor. In addition, the reigning Pakualam (see under traditional monarchs) is normally given preference when selecting the vice-governor. As in other provinces, considerable sovereignty is also ceded to the central government.
Negeri Sembilan is a confederation currently consisting of six states. Seri Menanti is the name of the state from which the ruling line of Negeri Sembilan derives. It is a Minangkabau dynasty.
The Yang di-Pertuan Besar is selected for life by the Undang Laut (the four ruling chiefs of the confederated states of Negeri Sembilan) from amongst four royal princes. These princes are selected by the reigning Yang di-Pertuan Besar from amongst the senior members of the ruling line of Seri Menanti. The undangs themselves cannot stand for election to this position.
The current ruling family of Selangor is a Bugis dynasty.
Mohammed Omar was installed as Head of the Supreme Council of Afghanistan on 27 September 1996, a position which he held until the government was overthrown in 2001. The emirate was a theocratic state, with Omar holding the Islamic title Amir al-Mu'minin ("Commander of the Faithful"). He continues to maintain a government-in-exile and an armed insurgency against the republican government in Kabul. He is also believed to head the isolated Islamic Emirate of Waziristan, in neighbouring Pakistan.
Ahmad Shah, second son of the last reigning king, was Crown Prince of Afghanistan from 26 November 1942 until the monarchy's end in 1973.
Also known as the Alaungpaya dynasty.
The House of Champasakti is a branch of the Khun Lo dynasty of Laos.
^ The Emperors of the Qīng dynasty were descended from the Aisin Gioro clan of Manchus.
Hengzhen is the son of the previous pretender, Yuyan, who was appointed heir to the throne of China by the last emperor, Puyi (1908–1912).
^ A branch of the House of Bagrationi. During the partition of the kingdom in the 15 Century, the Bagratid dynasty split into two main lineages: the Mukhrani line of Kartli, and the Gruzinsky line of Kakheti. It is between these two lineages that the leadership of the Royal House of Georgia is now disputed.
Alternatively known as Thibaw, or officially as Dutawadi.
Sao Oo Kya was imprisoned by the Burmese military regime in 2005.
Rezā, eldest son of the last reigning shah, was Crown Prince of Iran from birth, on 31 October 1960, until the monarchy was deposed in 1979.
Alternatively written as Kyaingtong or Keng Tung.
Sayid previously reigned as khan from 1 October 1918 until the monarchy was deposed in 1920. He is most likely deceased today.
Yi Chung is considered to be the legal genealogical heir of the last reigning emperors when the traditional laws of male primogeniture are applied. He does not, however, actively pursue the claim.
The position of head of the royal family, and heir to the title Emperor of Korea, has been disputed between three members of the imperial House of Yi since the death of the last heir, Yi Gu. Neither of the two governments of Korea have given an official opinion on the succession, and no titles of royalty are officially recognised.
The House of Yi consists of the descendants of the Joseon dynasty.
Yi Haewŏn is the eldest surviving daughter of the last reigning emperor's brother, Prince Imperial Ui, from whom all three claimants are descended. On 29 September 2006, she was "enthroned" with the symbolic title of Empress of Korea during a private ceremony organised by a small sect of the Imperial Household.
Yi Won was chosen as the next head of the Imperial Household, with the title of Hereditary Prince Imperial of Korea, by a majority of its organised members following the death of the last head of the dynasty, Yi Gu, in 2005. Won was adopted as Gu's son after the elder's death; the legality of the adoption is disputed.
After the monarchy was deposed in 1975, the senior members of the royal family were imprisoned by the government. The deaths of the former King, Queen, and Crown Prince were confirmed by the Lao authorities on 17 December 1989. The dates of actual death were not released, but the current claimant, who is the eldest son of the late Crown Prince, escaped imprisonment and arrived in Thailand on 3 August 1981. He was confirmed as the successor to his grandfather by the Royal Council in Exile on 19 September 1997.
The vassal state of Manchukuo was created in 1932 after its annexation by Japan. The last emperor of China, Puyi, who had been deposed in 1912, was installed as the nominal head of state. After Japan's defeat in World War II, the territory was ceded back to the Chinese republic.
Jampal Namdol Chökyi Gyaltsen was recognised as the 9 Jebtsundamba Khutuktu by the Tibetan government in 1936. He was publicly proclaimed as such by the current Dalai Lama in 1990, and was formally enthroned in July 1999. His predecessors were the spiritual leaders of the Gelug branch of Tibetan Buddhism in Mongolia. The 8 Jebtsundamba Khutuktu was enthroned as Khan of Mongolia upon the country's independence from China in 1911. After his death in 1924, the installation of any further Khutuktus was forbidden by the republican government.
^ Succession is neither hereditary nor elective, instead being based on theocratic laws.
Anthony was Rajah Muda (Crown Prince) of Sarawak from 25 August 1937 until the monarchy was ended in 1946. He renounced any claim to the title in 1951.
The 14 and current Dalai Lama was officially crowned on 17 November 1950, from which time he reigned as temporal ruler of Tibet until his flight into exile in March 1959. He continues to maintain a government-in-exile, in opposition to the Chinese administration. He was recognised as the incarnation of his predecessor in 1939, and remains the seniormost spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists and a figurehead revered by the Tibetan people.
Gyanendra reigned as King of Nepal between 7 November 1950 and 8 January 1951, and again from 4 June 2001 until the monarchy was abolished in 2008.
^ Members of the Shah dynasty of Nepal are descended from the ParmarRajput dynasty of the state of Narsinghgarh in modern India.
Binod had been the reigning Raja of Bajhang when the constituent monarchies of Nepal were abolished in 2008.
^ Succession to the throne, whilst hereditary, is also subject to confirmation from the reigning King of Nepal.
Prakash previously reigned as Raja of Bhirkot from 13 November 2002 until 2008, when the constituent monarchies of Nepal were abolished.
A Tibetan kingdom known locally as Lo, the name "Mustang" is actually a Nepalese corruption of Manthang, the state's capital. Its ruler was styled Raja of Mustang by the Nepalese, and Lo rGyal-po (King of Lo) in Tibetan.
Jigme previously reigned as Raja of Mustang, or King of Lo, from 1964 until 2008, when the constituent monarchies of Nepal were abolished.
The surname "Bista" was adopted by the last reigning raja and his family.
Gopendra had been the reigning Raja of Salyan when the constituent monarchies of Nepal were abolished in 2008.
The Bohmong Raja is recognised by the government of Bangladesh as the leader of the Marma population, and the traditional king of the Bohmong Circle (Arvumi), one of three tribal circles in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
The Chakma Raja is recognised by the government of Bangladesh as the leader of the Chakma population, and the traditional king of the Chakma Circle (Ramytte), one of three tribal circles in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
The Mong Raja is recognised by the government of Bangladesh as the leader of the Arakanese population, and the traditional king of the Mong Circle (Phalang Htaung), one of three tribal circles in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
The kings of the five traditional states known collectively as the Dangs are the only royals in India whose titles are recognised by the government. Each raja receives an annual payment from the state, owing to an agreement made with the British colonial government in 1842.
The current Raja of Gadhvi has been missing since 1992. His son and heir, Karan Singh, is presently acting in his place.
^ One of the four senior states within the traditional confederacy of Negeri Sembilan. Cite error: The named reference "Sembilan" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
The undang (ruling chief) is elected for life by the nobles and vassals of the state from amongst the three highest noble families: the Waris Ulu Jelebu, Waris Sarin, and Waris Kemin.
The undang (ruling chief) is elected for life by the nobles and vassals of the state from amongst the male descendants of the first ruler, following the matrilineal line.
The undang (ruling chief) is elected for life by the nobles and vassals of the state from amongst the direct descendants of two noble families: the Waris Jakun and Waris Jawa. The position is, by informal agreement, alternated between the heads of the two houses.
The undang (ruling chief) is elected for life by the nobles and vassals of the state from amongst the direct descendants of two noble families: the Waris Hulu and Waris Hilir.
Tampin is a traditional principality within the Negeri Sembilan confederacy.
The Yang di-Pertuan Muda (prince) succeeds according to the laws of male primogeniture, but must also receive confirmation from the reigning Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan.
India
^ A clan of the Rajputs. Cite error: The named reference "Rajput" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
Her succession to the title was not recognised by the Indian government.
Also known as Karnataka, or as Arcot after its capital.
Muhammed Abdul Ali is the legitimate heir to the throne of the Carnatic according to the relevant Islamic laws of inheritance. In addition, he currently holds the title Prince of Arcot, an hereditary status conferred in perpetuity upon his ancestor by the British monarch in 1867, and which continues to be upheld by the Government of India. The title was not affected by the abolition of privy purses in 1971, and the Prince of Arcot retains his political pension, as well as many other privileges. The succession of Muhammed Abdul Ali to the title, with all accompanying rights and privileges, was recognised by the government on 7 July 1994.
^ The royal family are members of both the Khichi and Chauhan clans of the Rajputs.
Previously reigned as mehtar from 14 October 1954, until the state was dissolved in 1969, and merged into the province of West Pakistan.
State was divided in 1841 between two branches of the Panwar dynasty, both using the title Maharaja of Dewas. The last head of the junior branch died in 1965, and the position has remained vacant since then. The titular claimant in this entry is from the senior branch.
The factual accuracy of the source on this particular claim is questionable.
Previously reigned as dewan until the state's incorporation into India in 1950.
It included the estates of Daphlapur (or Dalfepur), from which the ruling family took its name.
^ Members of the Phulkian dynasty belong to the Sidhu clan of Jats.
Also commonly known as Benares, or Varanasi after its capital.
Previously reigned as amir from 19 July 1947, until the state was dissolved in 1955, and merged into the province of West Pakistan.
Known variously as Khordha, Khurda, or Utkala in antiquity, was annexed to British India in 1804. The zamindari (noble estates) of Puri were created in 1808 and granted to the former ruling family. These estates were dissolved, and all its lands acquired, in 1956 by the Indian government.
^ The kingdom of Mysore was historically ruled by the Hindu Wodeyar dynasty. In 1782, however, immediately prior to the arrival of the British, the Maharaja was overthrown by the Muslim usurper, Tipu Sultan, who renamed the state Khudadad and expanded his empire across the south. His reign lasted until 1799, when he was conquered by the British and the crown was restored to the Wodeyars under British supremacy.
The current royal family of Kolhapur are also members of the Panwar clan.
In 1855, the state of Kuruntwad was divided between two branches of the Pathwardhan family: a senior branch (first row) and a junior branch (second row), both claiming the title Raja of Kuruntwad.
Was recognised as jagirdar of the small feudatory estate of Kutlehar, until it was dissolved under the Indian government in 1957.
The last heir to the title Maharaja of the Sikh Raj died without issue in 1926. Beant Singh is the current head of the family. However, since he is not directly descended from the empire's founder, Ranjit Singh, he can only claim the title of "Sardar", which was the title used by their common ancestor. This title has no connection with the former state.
The Sandhu are a clan of the Jats. The current line of claimants primarily belongs to the Sandhawalia clan.
Also known as Nahan after its capital.
The last titular Maharaja of Sirmur died in 1964 leaving no apparent heir. The current claimant to the throne was adopted into the family by the late maharaja’s widow. However, neither the adoption nor the claim to inheritance were recognised by the Indian government, as it failed to meet the necessary requirements dictated by family and religious customs. Because the adoption has not been legally recognised, his right to make a claim is therefore disputed.
Following a succession dispute in 1863, the former ruling family of Surat was divided into two main branches: a senior branch (first row) and a junior branch (second row). Both branches may claim to be heirs to the Nawab of Surat, a title which ceased to be legally recognised by the government in 1842.
The royal family of Amarasi was originally an Atoni dynasty. However, the current lineage (the Koroh family) is descended from the Dj'awa dynasty of Savu.
Known within his community as "Gia".
^ A branch of the Cirebon dynasty. In 1662, the sultanate of Cirebon was divided between three branches of the ruling dynasty: (in order of seniority) Kasepuhan, Kanoman, and Kacirebonan.
Following the death of the previous sultan, Muhammad Djalaluddin, a dispute of succession arose between two of his sons. Muhammad Emiruddin, the current occupant of the palace, is the rightful heir to his father according to the relevant laws of succession. He was actively opposed by his elder half-brother, Elang Muhammad Saladin. Whether the dispute still exists is unclear; according to some sources, the local government has recognised Emiruddin as the sole successor.
Also commonly known as Solo.
Upon the death of Pakubuwono XII in 2004, with no successor named, there arose two rival claims to the throne. Two of his sons, Hangabehi and Tejowulan, each had themselves "crowned" as the next Susuhunan. The dispute likely still exists, although family consensus apparently favours the elder brother, Hangabehi. In either case, both claimants would use the regnal name of Pakubuwono XIII.
The House of Windsor is a line of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, which itself is a branch of the House of Wettin. "Windsor" is the official name adopted by the royal family of the United Kingdom since 1917.
Bahrain
Jordan
Kuwait
Oman
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
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Bhutan
Brunei
Cambodia
Japan
Malaysia
Thailand
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Abu Dhabi
Ajman
Dubai
Ras al-Khaimah
Umm al-Qaiwain
Indonesia
Johor
Kedah
Kelantan
Negeri Sembilan
Pahang
Perak
Perlis
Selangor
Terengganu
Iraq
Ottoman Empire
Yemen 
Audhali
Lower Aulaqi
Beihan
Dhala
Fadhli
Kathiri 
Lahej
Mahra 
Qu'aiti 
Wahidi Balhaf 
Wahidi Haban
Lower Yafa
Upper Yafa
Afghanistan 
Afghanistan 
Bukhara
Burma
Champasak
China
Georgia
Hsipaw 
Iran 
Iran 
Khiva
Korea
Laos
Manchukuo 
Maldives
Mongolia
Ryūkyū
Sarawak
Tibet
Vietnam
Nepal
Mustang 
Banten
Bangladesh
India