Despite the decline of monarchies across Europe, several royal families maintain significant influence and public interest, often causing political headaches due to their scandals.
Royal Families have Issues Too
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre recently commented on the issues faced by the Norwegian royal family, particularly in light of the controversy surrounding Marius Borg Høiby, the son of the heir to the throne, who admitted to assaulting his girlfriend after using drugs.
Støre remarked, “The royal family has clear issues, which is true for many families in Norway.”
While many European monarchies were abolished after the World Wars, 12 remain, including those in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Spain, the Netherlands, and Belgium, according to Digi24.
They retain ceremonial roles but have lost most political power. Notably, some royal families, like those in Romania and Montenegro, have kept a semi-official status, while others, such as in Greece, continue to capture public attention despite losing their thrones.
Happens All Around the Globe
Scandals abound among these families. For instance, Prince Laurent of Belgium faced reprimands in 2011 for an unauthorized visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo, resulting in a reduction of his royal allowance in 2018 after wearing military uniform without permission at an embassy event.
Robert Aldrich, an emeritus professor of European history, noted, “Monarchies have always been surrounded by scandals, which can weaken or threaten them.”
Spain's former King Juan Carlos I abdicated in 2014 following corruption scandals and a controversial safari hunting trip in Botswana. Protests erupted, demanding constitutional reforms and the abolition of the monarchy. More recently, the Spanish royal family faced allegations of tax evasion involving Princess Cristina.
In the UK, Prince Andrew's association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has led to ongoing scrutiny. Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated that Andrew's issues were a family problem, not a government concern.
In Romania, authorities have pursued Prince Paul, a fugitive sentenced for his involvement in illegal land restitution, but extradition efforts have been thwarted by Malta due to concerns over Romanian prison conditions.
