Net worth: US$43 billion

He may be one of the most controversial monarchs in Thailand’s history, but King Maha Vajiralongkorn is also the richest royal in the world. The 67-year-old ascended the throne of Thailand in 2016, after the death of his father, the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The Thai royal family’s wealth is held in the Crown Property Bureau, an agency that manages the properties of the crown of the Kingdom of Thailand.

Previously under the supervision of the Finance Ministry, this changed when King Maha Vajiralongkorn placed the bureau under his control in 2017, granting him full personal ownership of its assets. This includes 6,560 hectares of land in Thailand, with 40,000 rental contracts nationwide, and shares in Siam Cement Group and Siam Commercial Bank worth up to $9 billion. Reuters reported that the bureau has new developments in the works, amounting to some $4.7 billion.

Net worth: US$28 billion

The world’s second longest-reigning current monarch—after Queen Elizabeth II—Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei is also the second wealthiest royal in the world, with an estimated net worth of $28 billion. The 72-year-old’s fortune is in the exports of oil and natural gas.

He was once the richest man in the world, with an estimated net worth of $40 billion. The sultan was famous for his lavish spending in earlier years, from commissioning the $1.4 billion Istana Nurul Iman (the world’s largest residential palace) to his collection of more than 500 Rolls-Royces.

Net worth: US$18 billion

King of Saudi Arabia, Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman has reigned as the country’s absolute monarch since 2015. His notable campaigns as the ruler of Saudi Arabia include the Saudi intervention in the Yemeni Civil War, a 2017 decree allowing Saudi women to drive, and a corruption crackdown on Saudi Arabian royalty, politicians, and businessmen, led by his son Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.

The head of the House of Saud, most of his wealth is tied up in oil reserves and investments, though his personal business interests are not publicly acknowledged.

Net worth: US$15 billion

Sheikh Khalifa is the President of the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E), the Supreme Commander of the Union Defence Force, and the Emir of Abu Dhabi—the richest emirate in the U.A.E. As a monarch of the oil-rich state, his fortune comes from its oil reserves, and he is the chairman of Supreme Petroleum Council.

The 71-year-old is also the chairman of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority—one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds—which manages the Emirate’s excess oil reserves. Its total assets are estimated to be $828 billion. In 2016, it was revealed through the Panama Papers that he owned luxury properties in London amounting to more than $1.7 billion via shell companies.

Net worth: US$8.2 billion

Inheriting the Moroccan throne from his late father King Hassan II, King Mohammed VI has reigned for 20 years despite the country’s volatile socio-economic and political situation. A shrewd businessman, he holds a 35 per cent stake in Societe Nationale d'Investissement (SNI), a private holding company with total assets amounting to $12.2 billion in 2017.

The conglomerate has a diverse portfolio of investments, including the country’s largest bank, Attijariwafa; mining company Managem Group; energy firm Nareva; sugar producer Cosumar; supermarket chain Marjane; and dairy firm Centrale Danone. King Mohammed IV also has shares in agricultural group Les Domaines Agricoles—founded by Hassan II—through his holding company Siger.

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Other royals who made the list...

#6 Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein
Net worth: US$7.2 billion

#7 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Emir of Dubai, U.A.E
Net worth: US$4 billion

#8 Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg
Net worth: US$4 billion

#9 Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar
Net worth: US$2.1 billion

#10 Albert II, Prince of Monaco
Net worth: US$1 billion

#11 Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom
Net worth: US$520 million

#12 Charles, Prince of Wales
Net worth: US$420 million

#13 Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden
Net worth: US$70 million

#14 Margrethe II, Queen of Denmark
Net worth: US$40 million

#15 Prince William, Duke of Cambridge
Net worth: US$40 million

#16 Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
Net worth: US$40 million

#17 Harald V, King of Norway
Net worth: US$30 million

#18 Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Net worth: US$30 million

#19 Felipe VI, King of Spain
Net worth: US$20 million

#20 Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge
Net worth: US$10 million

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