The world is indeed filled with numerous wealthy individuals, but the allure of wealth combined with royalty is particularly fascinating.
When examining the richest royal families globally, it becomes evident that those from oil-rich countries hold significant prominence today, as highlighted in Insider magazine’s February issue.
Interestingly, among the top five wealthiest royal families, only one European family is present, and that is the British royal family.
This observation underscores the changing dynamics of wealth and royalty, with oil-rich nations’ royal families dominating the list of the richest globally. As with any discussion about wealth and royalty, these findings continue to be subjects of interest and curiosity for people worldwide.
10. The Royal Family Of Liechtenstein
Net Worth: $4.4 billion (£3.57bn)
Hans-Adam II, the Prince of Liechtenstein, holds the position as the head of the Liechtenstein royal dynasty. Liechtenstein operates as a constitutional monarchy, where the country is governed by a family with a democratically elected government.
The wealth of the Liechtenstein royal family is indeed substantial, estimated to be around $4.4 billion as of 2022. Their vast fortune is a result of diverse and high-value investments, which include holdings in real estate and fine art.
A significant source of their wealth is the private bank, LGT Group, which has been owned by the Liechtenstein royal family for over 80 years. According to the Bloomberg Billionaire Index, Prince Hans-Adam draws much of his wealth from this bank.
9. The Royal Family Of Morocco
Net Worth: $8.2 billion (£6bn)
The Alaouite dynasty, tracing its roots back to the 13th century and officially established in 1631, is the reigning royal family of Morocco. King Mohammed VI, who ascended the throne in 1999, is the current head of the core family, which consists of 19 members.
Estimates suggest that the net worth of the Moroccan royal family is approximately $8.2 billion (£6 billion), ranking them as the ninth wealthiest royal family globally.
Aside from their substantial assets, the Moroccan royal family also benefits from one of the most extensive civil lists in the world. This civil list provides compensation to various members of the royal family for their services to the state.
8. The Royal Family Of Dubai
Net Worth: $18 billion (£14.6bn)
Dubai is governed by the House of Maktoum, a royal dynasty with roots dating back to 1833. The family consists of hundreds of extended members, in addition to the 12 principal members. Collectively, their wealth has been estimated to be around $18 billion (£14.6 billion).
The leader of the dynasty and ruler of Dubai is Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is considered the wealthiest member of the family. He has been in power since 2006 and holds the prestigious positions of vice president and prime minister of the UAE. Sheikh Mohammed is renowned for his philanthropy and oversees the investment company Dubai Holdings.
Rashid Al Maktoum, who has 4 wives, is rumored to have spent a staggering $100 million (£49.4 million) on his wedding to his elder wife, Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum, in 1979.
7. The Royal Family Of Brunei
Net Worth: $28 billion (£22.7bn)
Since its formation in 1363, Brunei’s royal family, the House of Bolkiah, has intermittently ruled the Southeast Asian nation. Its ruler, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, has held that position for the previous 54 years.
Due to Brunei’s enormous oil deposits, the family has amassed absurd wealth. According to Forbes, the Sultan had an estimated net worth of over $20 billion (£12.29 billion) in 2011.
6. The Royal Family Of Thailand
Net Worth: $60 billion (£48.7bn)
The Chakri dynasty has been the ruling family in Thailand since 1782, and the nation continues to hold them in high regard. After the passing of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, in 2016, Maha Vajiralongkorn ascended to the throne as the reigning monarch.
The Thai royal family, headquartered in Bangkok, includes 22 individuals, encompassing past wives and unofficial members. However, the core family consists of only ten members.
According to analysts, the royal family’s net worth falls within a range of $30 billion to $60 billion (£24.4 billion to £48.7 billion). In 2018, these assets were transferred to the monarch after being overseen by the nation’s Crown Property Bureau for 80 years.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn is estimated to possess a fortune of around $30 billion (£24.4 billion), making him the wealthiest monarch globally.
His wealth includes valuable parcels of real estate in Bangkok’s financial district, significant ownership interests in influential Thai corporations, and shares of the high-end hotel chain Kempinski. According to reports, this portfolio generates approximately $3 billion (£2.1 billion) in annual revenue.
5. The British Royal Family
Net Worth: $88 billion (£69 billion)
According to Forbes, the British royal family’s value was estimated to be an astounding $88 billion (£69 billion) in 2017. This evaluation takes into account the value of the family name and tangible assets, such as real estate.
Queen Elizabeth II, with an estimated personal net wealth of £350 million ($428.3 million), holds the most substantial individual wealth within the royal family, as reported by the Sunday Times Rich List in 2020.
The British royal family generates revenue from properties like Sandringham House in Norfolk, England, and Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Additionally, they benefit from the Crown Estate, often referred to as the Sovereign Grant, which yields profits.
The Pandora Papers exposed the Crown Estate’s purchase of a £67 million ($91.2 million) London property from Ilham Aliyev, the president of Azerbaijan. The Aliyev family has faced widespread allegations of corruption and human rights violations, and it is believed that they have exchanged £400 million ($545 million) worth of UK real estate. The Crown Estate has pledged to conduct a more in-depth investigation into this situation.
4. The Royal Family Of Abu Dhabi
Net Worth: $150 billion (£116.6bn)
The House of Nahyan has been the ruling family of Abu Dhabi since 1793 and is closely connected to Dubai’s ruling Al Maktoum dynasty, descending from the same clan. The tribe consists of 200 male members, while the number of females in the family remains uncertain.
Like other Middle Eastern royal families, the Al Nahyan family derives a significant portion of their wealth from oil resources.
The family’s substantial fortune, estimated at $150 billion (£116.6 billion), was largely accumulated in the 1970s when the siphoning of the nation’s oil earnings was not deemed improper.
Since 2004, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has been the head of the family, serving as the Emir of Abu Dhabi and President of the United Arab Emirates. Additionally, he holds the position of chairman of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, responsible for managing assets worth approximately $696.6 billion (£526.1 billion). These assets include notable properties like Dubai’s Burj Khalifa skyscraper, the tallest structure in the world.
As with discussions about royal families and their wealth, the financial affairs and influence of the Al Nahyan family continue to be subjects of interest and analysis, both locally and globally.
3. The Royal Family Of Qatar
Net Worth: $335 billion (£253bn)
The House of Thani has been ruling Qatar since the middle of the 19th century. The current Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, holds the distinction of being the world’s youngest monarch at the age of 41. He assumed the position in 2013.
The Thani family consists of hundreds of members, with reports suggesting that the number could be as many as 7,000 or 8,000.
The royal family’s extensive wealth is evident in their ownership of prominent properties like the Empire State Building in New York, the Shard skyscraper in London, the Olympic Village, and the prestigious Harrods store, among others.
In addition to real estate holdings, the Thani family also has significant investments in companies like British Airways, Barclays Bank, and Volkswagen. The total wealth of the royal family, led by Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, is estimated to be approximately $335 billion in US dollars, with the Emir alone having a personal net worth of $2 billion.
2. The Royal Family Of Kuwait
Net Worth: $360 billion (£280 billion)
In Kuwait, the Al Sabah family holds power, with Sheikh Sabah IV Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah serving as the current Emir of the Middle Eastern nation. The dynasty has been in control of Kuwait since 1752. The family is estimated to consist of around 1,000 members in total.
The exact net worth of the Al Sabah family is not publicly disclosed; however, a Time magazine article from 1991 suggested it to be an astonishing $90 billion (£47.4 billion). Much of their wealth is linked to US equities and shares, which have seen significant growth over the years.
Experts believe that the Kuwaiti royal family’s wealth may have doubled since the early 1990s, with a frequently cited amount of $360 billion (£280 billion). This estimate may be conservative, considering the family’s reported ownership of substantial shares in many leading blue-chip US corporations.
1. The Royal Family Of Saudi Arabia
Net Worth: $1.4 trillion (£1.1tn)
The Saudi Investment Fund received approval from Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Salman to invest US$2 billion in Jared Kushner’s new business venture.
However, this investment is considered insignificant in the eyes of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is home to the wealthiest royal family on earth. Since 1744, the House of Saud has ruled the country, and the nation is named after the family.
King Salman, who assumed power in 2015, is regarded as the world’s wealthiest monarch, with an estimated net worth of US$18 billion.
The House of Saud is an enormous family with over 15,000 members, many of whom are millionaires. The family’s combined wealth is estimated to be around US$1.4 trillion, surpassing the GDP of countries like Spain and Australia.
