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Royal family facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

A royal family is the close family of a king or queen. It can also include their wider family members. When we talk about the family of an emperor or empress, we call them an imperial family. For a pope, it's a papal family. But usually, any family that rules a country because of their birthright is called 'royalty' or 'royals'. Sometimes, even families of former rulers are still called royal families. A dynasty is like a family line of rulers, often called 'the House of...'. As of July 2013, there were 26 countries around the world with active monarchies.

Louis14-Family
The Royal Family of France during the time of King Louis XIV.

Who is in a Royal Family?

A royal family usually includes the monarch (the king or queen) and their husband or wife. It also includes their children, grandchildren, brothers, and sisters. Sometimes, it can even include great-grandchildren and more distant relatives. In some countries, like the Netherlands, a royal family can also include former monarchs who have given up their throne.

In places like Canada, who is part of the royal family is decided by special titles they hold, like Majesty or Royal Highness. There is often a difference between people who are born into the royal family and those who marry into it. Usually, only those born into the family can become the next ruler.

What do Royal Families do?

The jobs of a royal family depend on the type of government. In an absolute monarchy, the monarch has all the power. In these countries, like Saudi Arabia or Jordan, royal family members often have important jobs in the government or military.

In most constitutional monarchies, the monarch shares power with a government. Here, royal family members usually do public, social, or ceremonial tasks. They might open new buildings, visit charities, or represent their country. However, they usually do not get involved in politics or running the country.

Rules for Royal Families

The exact members of a royal family and their titles are different in each country. Rules about who is in the family can be set by laws passed by the government, like in Spain or Japan. They can also be based on old traditions, like in the United Kingdom. Sometimes, a royal family has its own private rules. These rules can also cover royal marriages, names, and titles.

When a monarch dies in a constitutional monarchy, there is always a clear law or tradition about who will be the next ruler. This is called the order of succession. For example, in the United Kingdom and Japan, the next ruler is always known. In other places, like Cambodia or Saudi Arabia, the next ruler might be chosen during or shortly after the previous monarch's reign. Some countries, like France in 1870 and Russia in 1917, have completely ended their monarchies.

Current Royal Families Around the World

===Africa===

Americas

Asia

Europe

Middle East

Oceania

Former Royal Families

These are royal families that no longer rule a country.

Royal Houses and Dynasties

A royal house or dynasty is a family line that has ruled a country for a long time.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Familia real para niños

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Royal family Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.