The Richest Royal in the World May Surprise You (Hint: It’s Not Queen Elizabeth II)

When we think of wealthy royals, Queen Elizabeth II, princes William and Harry, and Duchess Kate Middleton come to mind. However, you may be surprised to know that the queen mum and her family do not even make the list of the world’s top 10 wealthiest royals. Queen Elizabeth II is estimated to be the 13th richest royal. She has a net worth of $425 million, according to Fortune.

Who are these rich royals, then? Let’s take a look from the 10th richest royal to the top richest in the world. The first person on our list is the son of a famous American movie star turned princess.

10. Albert II of Monaco

Prince Albert II of Monaco
Prince Albert is the head of the Grimaldi family. | Valery Hache/AFP/Getty Images
  • Net worth: $1 billion
  • Residence: Monaco
  • Title: Prince of Monaco
  • Age: 59
  • Source of wealth: Société des bains de mer de Monaco and casinos

Prince Albert II, with a net worth of $1 billion in 2010, is head of the 700-year-old Grimaldi family in Monaco, a 2-square mile country on the French Riviera. The Société des bains de mer de Monaco operates the country’s casino and other entertainment properties.

Next: An abdicated former emir is a multi-billionaire.

9. Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani of Qatar

Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-
He was removed from power in 2013. | Ramzi Haidar/AFP/Getty Images
  • Net worth: $2.4 billion
  • Residence: Qatar
  • Title: Former Emir of Qatar (abdicated in 2013)
  • Age: 65
  • Source of wealth: Qatar Investment Authority, which manages the country’s oil and gas reserves

Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, with a net worth of $2.4 billion in 2010, was the ruling Emir of Qatar from 1995 to 2013. A member of the Al Thani Qatari royal family, his wealth comes from establishing the Qatar Investment Authority, which manages the country’s excess oil and gas reserves. The sheikh established the first Arab global news network, Al Jazeera, loaning about $137 million to the organization.

Next: This prince’s art collection is displayed at the Liechtenstein Museum.

8. Hans Adam II of Liechtenstein

Hans Adams II
Despite the size of his kingdom, he’s worth quite a lot. | Alexander Klein/AFP/Getty Images
  • Net worth: $3.5 billion
  • Residence: Liechtenstein
  • Title: Prince of Liechtenstein
  • Age: 72
  • Source of wealth: Holding in the Prince of Liechtenstein Foundation

Prince Hans Adam II of Liechtenstein was worth $3.5 billion in 2010. His fortune comes from owning the Liechtenstein Global Trust, the largest family-owned private wealth firm in Europe. The foundation, created in 1970, is a cap for investments including wineries and an agricultural company. The prince is known for his extravagant art collection on display in the Liechtenstein Museum.

Next: This sheikh invests in sustainable solutions.

7. Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of the United Arab Emirates

UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum
He is good about donating his wealth to charity. | Stringer/AFP/Getty Images
  • Net worth: $4.5 billion
  • Residence: United Arab Emirates
  • Title: Prime Minister of United Arab Emirates, Emir Sheikh of Dubai
  • Age: 68
  • Source of wealth: Majority share of Dubai Holding and investments from the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, with a net worth of $4.5 billion in 2010, began ruling Dubai when his brother died in 2006. Dubai Holding is a global investment company, founded in 2004. It manages companies’ investments. The emir is known for his charitable donations, including a $10 billion gift in 2007 to set up a foundation which aims to develop sustainable solutions in Arab countries.

Next: A multi-billionaire is king of an African country.

6. Mohammed VI of Morocco

Moroccan King Mohammed VI
His company works with banking and renewable energy. | Fadel Senna/AFP/Getty Images
  • Net worth: $5.7 billion
  • Residence: Morocco
  • Title: King of Morocco
  • Age: 54
  • Source of wealth: Investments in SNI holding company

King Mohammed VI of the African country Morocco was worth $5.7 billion in 2015. His family owns SNI, a private holding company established in 1966. The company operates in different fields such as banking, telecommunication, renewable energy, and more. It also invests in other African countries. The king has been relatively active in trying to promote greater economic liberty in Morocco and an expanded range of export-oriented businesses.

Next: This billionaire emir donates to relief organizations.

5. Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed
He’s banking on those oil reserves. | Yasser Al-Zayyat/AFP/Getty Images
  • Net worth: $15 billion
  • Residence: United Arab Emirates
  • Title: President of the United Arab Emirates, Emir of Abu Dhabi
  • Age: 69
  • Source of wealth: Investments from the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority

Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan was worth $15 billion in 2011. Abu Dhabi Investment Authority is a sovereign wealth fund created in 1976 and owned by the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. It invests funds on behalf of the government of Abu Dhabi. It manages the emirate’s excess oil reserves, estimated to be up to $1.3 trillion. The UAE president is known for his philanthropy. He has contributed to medical facilities and relief organizations.

Next: The king of a country owns a media group.

4. Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz
The Saudi king owns a large media group. | Fayez Nureldine/AFP/Getty Images
  • Net worth: $17 billion
  • Residence: Saudi Arabia
  • Title: King of Saudi Arabia
  • Age: 81
  • Source of wealth: Ownership of a media group

Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is estimated to be worth $17 billion. His family owns a media group, including pan-Arab daily Asharq Al-Awsat and Al Eqtisadiah.

Next: A billionaire sultan is one of the few absolute monarchs still in power.

3. Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei

Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei
The sultan makes no secret of his billions. | Drew Angerer/Getty Images
  • Net worth: $20 billion
  • Residence: Brunei
  • Title: Sultan of Brunei
  • Age: 71
  • Source of wealth: Profits from oil and gas industry

Hassanal Bolkiah, the Sultan of Brunei, had a net worth of $20 billion in 2010. He is one of the few absolute monarchs still in power. The sultan is known for his lavish spending, reportedly owning more than 600 Rolls-Royce cars. His residence, known as Istana Nurul Iman, is the world’s largest palace. It cost more than $350 million. Brunei is a tiny nation on the north coast of the island of Borneo in southeast Asia. The capital is home to an opulent mosque featuring 29 golden domes.

Next: The second-richest royal is a new king.

2. Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand

Thailand's King Vajiralongkorn
He took over after his father passed away last year. | Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP/Getty Images
  • Net worth: $30 billion
  • Residence: Thailand
  • Title: King of Thailand
  • Age: 65
  • Source of wealth: Investments derived from the Bureau of the Crown Property.

Maha Vajiralongkorn, Thailand’s new king, has an estimated net worth of $30 billion. The new king and his family made their money off the quasi-government agency which manages the property of the crown of the Kingdom of Thailand. The bureau is run by a seven-member governing board. The new king’s father, Bhumibol Adulyadej, was ruler of Thailand until he passed away in 2016.

Next: The richest royal was an Olympic flag-bearer.

1. Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum of the United Arab Emirates

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum
He left his first wife for his cousin. | Sean Gallup/Getty Images
  • Net worth: $31.7 billion
  • Residence: United Arab Emirates
  • Title: Dubai Sheikh, chairman of Dubai Supreme Fiscal Committee
  • Age: 58
  • Source of wealth: CEO and chairman of Emirates Group, chairman of Dubai World, and chairman of Noor Takaful insurance company.

Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum had a reported net worth of $31.7 billion in 2011, making him the No. 1 wealthiest royal in the world. The Emirates Group CEO is also president of the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation.

The sheikh married Egyptian socialite Nivin El-Gamal in 2007, and the two have one child together, named Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, born in 2008. Al Maktoum later also married his first cousin twice removed in 2008.

Al Maktoum has an honorary degree from City University London. He was a two-time flag-bearer for the UAE at the Olympics.

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