This is a list of former monarchs of sovereign states who are living to date. While most monarchs retain their position for their lifetime, some choose to abdicate in favour of a younger heir, while other monarchs are deposed when their monarchies are abolished or when another ruler seizes power by force. By international courtesy, these individuals are usually still addressed by their monarchical titles. The most recent former monarch to die was King Constantine II of Greece, on 10 January 2023.

Living former hereditary monarchs of sovereign states

Ages as of 17:20, Thursday, November 23, 2023 (UTC).
Name Title Reign Born Age Reason
Jamshid bin Abdullah Sultan of Zanzibar 1963–1964 16 Sep 1929 94 years, 68 days Monarchy abolished
Akihito Emperor of Japan 1989–2019 23 Dec 1933 89 years, 335 days Abdicated
Albert II King of the Belgians 1993–2013 6 Jun 1934 89 years, 170 days Abdicated
Simeon II Tsar of the Bulgarians 1943–1946[1] 16 Jun 1937 86 years, 160 days Monarchy abolished
Juan Carlos I King of Spain 1975–2014 5 Jan 1938 85 years, 322 days Abdicated
Beatrix Queen of the Netherlands 1980–2013 31 Jan 1938 85 years, 296 days Abdicated
Gyanendra King of Nepal 1950–1951 and 2001–2008 7 Jul 1947 76 years, 139 days Monarchy abolished
Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Emir of Qatar 1995–2013 1 Jan 1952 71 years, 326 days Abdicated
Fuad II King of Egypt and the Sudan 1952–1953 16 Jan 1952 71 years, 311 days Monarchy abolished
Jigme Singye Wangchuck King of Bhutan 1972–2006 11 Nov 1955 68 years, 12 days Abdicated

Living former elective monarchs of sovereign states

Ages as of 17:20, Thursday, November 23, 2023 (UTC).
Name Title Reign Born Age Reason
Sirajuddin of Perlis Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia 2001–2006 17 May 1943 80 years, 190 days Term ended
Nicolas Sarkozy Co-Prince of Andorra 2007–2012 28 Jan 1955 68 years, 299 days Defeated for re-election as President of France
François Hollande Co-Prince of Andorra 2012–2017 12 Aug 1954 69 years, 103 days Did not seek re-election as President of France
Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia 2006–2011 22 Jan 1962 61 years, 305 days Term ended
Muhammad V of Kelantan Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia 2016–2019 6 Oct 1969 54 years, 48 days Abdicated

Living former hereditary monarch of a non-sovereign state

Ages as of 17:20, Thursday, November 23, 2023 (UTC).
Name Title Reign Born Age Note
Ghalib II al-Qu'aiti Sultan of Qu'aiti 1966–1967 7 Jan 1948 75 years, 320 days Monarchy abolished

Notes

  1. ^ Simeon returned to Bulgaria in 1996 after a half-century in exile and was elected Prime Minister under the name Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (Simeon Sakskoburggotski) in 2001, serving until 2005.

See also

Categories