Description
The UK is the latest country in Europe to hold a crowning ceremony for its monarchy. However, other European countries still have monarchies and practice their own unique ceremonies. There are 12 sovereign monarchies left on the continent, 10 of which are hereditary and two, Vatican City and Andorra, elective.
Here's a list of how your royals ascend to the throne:
- Luxembourg
Luxembourg is a Grand Duchy, with a hereditary Grand Duke at the head of state.
He was sworn in during a ceremony in Luxembourg's parliament, the Chamber of Deputies, where he pledged to uphold the country's constitution.
- Denmark
Denmark is a constitutional monarchy, with a hereditary head of state.
The current monarch, Queen Margrethe II, did not have an official enthronement ceremony.
Instead, the news of his joining was announced from the balcony of Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen.
- Norway
Norway is a constitutional monarchy, with a hereditary monarch as head of state.
The current monarch, King Harald V, was consecrated king in a ceremony at Nidaros Cathedral in the city of Trondheim in 1991.
–Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein, a landlocked microstate between Austria and Switzerland, is a semi-constitutional monarchy, with a hereditary prince as head of state.
The state has no coronation.
Instead, the most recent prince, Prince Hans Adam, attended a mass for the Catholic Archbishop of Vaduz in Liechtenstein.
- Sweden
Sweden is a constitutional monarchy with a hereditary monarch as head of state.
In lieu of a coronation, the Swedish monarch takes the oath of royal guarantee at a meeting of the Swedish cabinet.
Afterwards, an official ceremony takes place in the State Hall of the Royal Palace in Stockholm.
- Vatican City
Vatican City is the seat of the Holy See, the government of the Catholic Church.
The Pope is the elected head of the Church.
He is elected by the cardinals of the church.
After the election of the Pope, it is inaugurated during a mass in Saint Peter's Square in the Vatican.
- Spain
Spain is a constitutional monarchy with a hereditary monarch as head of state.
The current king, King Juan Carlos, ascended the throne in a low-key ceremony in Spain's parliament following his father's abdication in 2014.
–Andorra
Andorra, a landlocked microstate between France and Spain, is a semi-elective diarchy. This means that it has two heads of state, one appointed and one elected.
The elected head of state is the President of France, while the designated head of state is the Catholic Bishop of Urgell.
When Emmanuel Macron was sworn in as the president of France, he also became co-prince of Andorra.
Likewise, when Joan-Enric Vives i Sicilia was named bishop of Urgell by the Pope, he was also named co-prince.
- The Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy with a hereditary monarch as head of state.
The king or queen is sworn in during a joint assembly of the country's parliament, held in the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam.
- Belgium
Belgium is a constitutional monarchy with a hereditary monarch as head of state.
The current king, King Philippe, was sworn in as monarch during an official service in Brussels.
A parade took place in the streets of the capital, with King Felipe appearing with his family on the balcony of the Royal Palace.
-Monaco
Monaco, a microstate on the French Riviera, is a principality, with a hereditary prince at the head of state.
The Prince of Monaco is enthroned during an investiture ceremony at Saint Nicholas Cathedral.
The prince receives two keys to the city as part of his investiture.
PA wire
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