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.
