Monarchy which countries use it

Since taking power, Salman and others in the royal family have taken measures to tighten their grip over their subjects. In April, King Salman ratified a royal decree to behead 37 Saudi citizens, most of them Shiite Muslims — a minority in a country ruled by Sunni Muslims.

Officials said those condemned had engaged in terrorism-related offenses, allegations questioned by human rights advocates.

Swaziland, home to 1. In , the ruling family introduced a new constitution that included a bill of rights. But human rights activists say the monarchy has continued to restrict freedom of expression, assembly and association. Monaco is a hereditary constitutional monarchy led by Prince Albert II.

It was established in For instance, legislative power is now shared by the prince and the National Council — a group of 24 members elected by popular vote every five years. The prince proposes laws and the National Council votes on them. The prince also appoints a president to the seven-member Crown Council, which advises the prince on domestic and international issues, such as ratification of treaties and the granting of amnesty and citizenship.

The small Persian Gulf island has been ruled by the Khalifa family since Members of the royal family control the ministries of Defense, Interior, Finance and Foreign Affairs. Sheik Hamed bin Isa Khalifa, who took power in , turned the emirate into a kingdom three years later and gave himself the title of king.

Human rights groups have criticized the monarchy for its clampdown on dissent. According to a Amnesty International report, authorities arrested activists and political opponents who criticized the monarchy ahead of parliamentary elections in November In some occasions, Roman numerals are used to make a distinction between rulers who share the same name.

Traditionally, most cultures transfer monarchial power through blood relations, usually the first son or daughter. In case a son or daughter is unavailable, then the power goes to the closest blood relation. While some monarchies rely on inheriting leadership, others rely on an elective process.

Aside from being the monarch of the UK, her majesty is also the Monarch of several other Commonwealth realms. All these states are governed constitutionally with hereditary succession.

Constitutional governance prevails with the form of succession being ex officio. All the monarchies are constitutional except Bahrain mixed governance , Darussalam absolute , Oman absolute , Qatar mixed , Saudi Arabia absolute theocracy , Swaziland absolute , UAE mixed , and Vatican absolute theocracy. Succession is through the descendants of 19th century King Siaosi Tupou I with a preference for male heirs.

The current monarch is King Tupou VI. The Commonwealth is also home to all 16 of the Commonwealth realms. Following independence from the UK, these former British colonies have chosen to retain constitutional relationships and the tradition of having the Queen as head of state.

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