Exploring the strange and fascinating lives of rulers, royals, and royalty all around the world and throughout history.

We Will Never Be Royals

Best TV

One of the most fascinating, yet small, sects within society has always been the monarchy. While most Americans and Europeans are more familiar with the British or French monarchies, there have been incredible stories told about the kings and queens of other nations all over the world. Even in the modern age, monarchies continue to fascinate us, which is obvious if you simply turn on your TV.

Additions to the genre concerning more modern kings and queens of the world include&nbsp;The Crown, which is a biopic/miniseries about royalty and the life of Queen Elizabeth II of England. Her story unfolds across the seasons in a never-before look at the life of a modern monarchy. More historical series like&nbsp;The Tudors&nbsp;explores the lives of Henry VIII and his wives. The politics of the day and the policies of the King unfold in a series of drama, action, and romance.&nbsp;

What are television&#39;s best kings and queens shows? Vote up the shows about royalty you think are the best and see where your favorite shows about kings and queens rank. And if you love these royal shows, be sure to check out these <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-movies-about-royalty/ranker-film" target="_blank">royal movies</a>!

The Greatest TV Shows About Kings &amp; Queens

TV Program

The 25+ Best TV Shows About Kings & Queens, Ranked by Fans

Ranker TV

Weird History

In a monarchy, the common refrain “long live the king!” isn’t always a sincere statement. If you’re next in line for the throne, you've got even less reason to wish for longevity for the king (or queen). The trouble with being the heir apparent is that there’s no apparent way of knowing just how long the wait will be. Sometimes it's <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/shortest-reigning-monarchs-from-history/setareh-janda">very little time</a>, but as this collection shows, the period can stretch for decades.These are some of the heirs who had the longest waits - and quite a few didn’t even get to rule at the end of it all. Some were outlived by the monarch, while others outlived the monarchy itself. From the seven decades <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/king-charles-iii-facts/melissa-sartore">Charles III had to endure</a>, to the Brazilian princess who likely destroyed her own chances of ascension for a good cause, this collection looks at history’s most patient heirs.

11 Of History's Most Patient Heirs

Person

M. Muir

poll

Over 1,400 movie fans have come together to cast their votes and shape this list of the best movies about royalty. From sumptuous period dramas to raucous comedies, these films offer a window into some of history&#39;s most fascinating figures. Whether exploring the machinations of Britain&#39;s Tudors or bringing fresh perspective on centuries-old myths surrounding French monarchs, each film offers something unique for even the most seasoned royal watchers.

For those new to the genre, why not start with The King&rsquo;s Speech? This inspiring tale follows King George VI as he tries to overcome his stammering before delivering an important speech during World War II. If drama is more your style then you can&#39;t go wrong with Elizabeth &ndash; starring Cate Blanchett in an Oscar-winning performance &ndash; which chronicles Queen Elizabeth I&#39;s rise from relative obscurity to become one of England&rsquo;s greatest rulers. For a lighthearted take on monarchy, try The Princess Bride - a classic fantasy adventure that features plenty of romance, swashbuckling action, and witty dialogue along its charmingly whimsical journey. Fans of the royal family would enjoy The Queen, starring Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth II.&nbsp;

So check out this ranking and vote up your favorites. Who knows - maybe we&#39;ll uncover some hidden gems along the way.

The Best Movies About Royalty

Film

The 50+ Best Movies About Royalty, Ranked By Fans

Ranker Film

Historical Entertainment

Who are the best actors who have played royals? One tried-and-true pathway to success for actors in Hollywood is by <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/actors-who-should-play-english-royals/quinn-armstrong" target="_blank">playing a royal</a>, since many actors who played royals have received critical acclaim and accolades for their performances. For example, several actresses who have played royalty - including&nbsp;Olivia Colman, Helen Mirren, and Judi Dench - have won Oscars, Golden Globes, and Emmys. Likewise, some of the best royals actors - like Colin Firth, among others - have earned award recognition&nbsp;for their work.

Each actor approaches his or her royal&nbsp;role differently. Some <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/martin-luther-king-jr-actors/ranker-film?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">actors who have played kings</a>, and actresses who have played queens, use their prep time to undertake extensive historical research, while others evaluate historical figures just like any other character. But all&nbsp;have the challenge of portraying historical figures in a unique way, since many royals have been played by several different actors over the years.

Vote up the actors who did the best job bringing historical royals to life.

The Best Actors Who Played Historical Royals On Film & Television

Actors Who Played Real Royals In Movies & TV, Ranked

Setareh Janda

Entertainment

Us common folk love discussing and learning about the lives of royalty. That is why there are so many movies about English queens. Our fascination with royalty varies from the roles a king or queen has played in history, to what their palace is like, what love interests they had, and what political differences they made during their reign. The news is constantly full of stories about the Royal Family and it’s no wonder that so many great movies have been made the life of royalty! What are the best movies about queens? Vote up the best below and see where your favorite queen films rank.The movies on this list discuss the life of queens in one way or another. Most of the flicks featured here are more literal and biographical in nature, though some are completely fictional stories about fictional queens. Perhaps the most famous queen featured in several of these movies is Queen Elizabeth of England. Cate Blanchett has played the queen multiple times.This list features the best queen movies, including: Elizabeth, One Night with the King, The Princess Diaries, Anastasia, The Other Boleyn Girl, Mad Love, and The Young Victoria. Vote up the best films below or add a film about a queen that you love if it isn't already on the list. Then check out these other <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-movies-about-royalty/ranker-film" target="_blank">royal movies</a>.

Shakespeare in Love

The Best Movies About Queens

The Best Queen Movies, Ranked By Fans

Royalty

What are the most inaccurate movies about royals? Whether depicting love affairs that never happened or covering up unsavory politics, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-movies-about-royalty/ranker-film" target="_blank">royal biopics</a>&nbsp;on this list don&#39;t tell the full - or even the real - story about kings and queens in history.

Historians evaluate the accuracy of films in two ways: by policing the nitty-gritty historical facts that the movie depicts,&nbsp;and by analyzing the overall truth that the film is communicating about a person, event, or era. Historical facts often get manipulated for the sake of narrative necessity. Worse, many films are inaccurate by omission, since they leave out crucial facts that might shape how a royal is remembered. In these cases, royal biopics completely misrepresent the past.

From Shakespeare&#39;s plays to Hollywood biopics, the lives of royals throughout history have always made for compelling drama. But good movies are rarely good history lessons.

The Least Accurate Movies About Historical Royals

The Most Inaccurate Movies About Royals

World History

In 2013, the unveiling of <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2260655/Kate-Middleton-Rotten-official-portrait-Duchess-Cambridge-artist-Paul-Emsley-unveiled.html">the first official&nbsp;portrait of the Duchess of Cambridge</a> caused an international response fit for, say, an actual important international event. People all over the world&nbsp;went crazy with&nbsp;judgment and jeers, critiquing every aspect of the painting. But Kate Middleton's portrait looks like a Rembrandt compared to some of the heinously ugly royal portraits&nbsp;that came before it. The&nbsp;historical artists who&nbsp;crafted many of these horrendously unflattering <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/portraits-of-historical-royals-vs-real-life/alby-thompson" target="_blank">royal portraits</a>&nbsp;are lucky they aren't alive to experience the wrath of the Twitterverse. If they were, their paintings, and they themselves, would probably be torn to shreds for the travesties they committed to canvas.&nbsp;To be fair, it isn't always the fault of the artist that a&nbsp;painting comes out looking like the stuff of nightmares&nbsp;(<a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/02/Dinasty_Habsburg_%28Spain%29_family_tree_by_shakko_%28EN%29.jpg">we're looking at you, Habsbergs</a>).&nbsp;Sometimes, a royal is just plain ugly, and an artist has to grit his teeth and muscle his way through. Perhaps that's why a few monarchs&nbsp;make their way onto the list numerous times...by numerous different artists...There are also artists throughout history who created intentionally&nbsp;bad portraits, as a means of criticizing&nbsp;a royal individual or family.&nbsp;Ultimately, whether the result of bad artistry&nbsp;or <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/weird-royals-in-history/danielle-ownbey">royal inbreeding</a>, these royal&nbsp;embarrassments are our enjoyment. Want more?&nbsp;Take a look at <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/firsthand-descriptions-what-royals-really-looked-like/setareh-janda" target="_blank">our roundup of written, firsthand descriptions of historical royals</a>.

26 of the Most Heinously Unflattering Royal Portraits in History

General

Danielle Ownbey

Names

The concept of nobility is kind of silly. Just because your great-great-grandfather was a duke doesn’t mean you should get a fancy title yourself. But some people just need an official nickname to make themselves feel important, and that kind of thinking is the reason&nbsp;there are so many weird royal titles floating around. Some of the titles were placed on the heads of the nobles by their family members, and some funny royal titles were given by their constituents and friends who were critical of their policies -&nbsp;and the names kind of stuck. If you’re tangentially related to nobility and need some inspiration for what to call yourself, check out these weird royal titles in history and get to brainstorming.There are all sorts of silly nicknames and titles in the world of royalty, but some members of the royal family of England have taken their weird noble titles too far -&nbsp;so much so that some can't even be shared in polite company. As you’ll soon come to find, there’s one modern royal who has so many titles that it would take a paragraph just to type them all down. There are definitely some head-scratchers in these weird titles of nobility, and the less effectual the noble is, the more sarcastic the title sounds. As you read these silly nobility titles, vote up the strangest and silliest titles held by royals and nobility throughout history.

Mary Of Teck, 'Serene Highness' 

The Most Ridiculous Titles Of Nobility In History

The Most Ridiculous Titles of Nobility in History

Jacob Shelton

Wild and fascinating pics of people who made history.

Historical People in Photos

It&#39;s not easy being royalty.

Sure, the job comes with a lot of perks but the countless responsibilities and dangers of the crown&nbsp;can certainly take their toll over the years.&nbsp;This list features images of historical royals at the beginning and end of their reigns. Some of the men and women showcased here enjoyed long and prosperous reigns while others were short and chaotic. A few&nbsp;ruled into old age and&nbsp;some&nbsp;were removed&nbsp;from the throne&nbsp;by foreign powers or their own &quot;loyal&quot; subjects.&nbsp;

20 Historical Royals At The Beginning And End Of Their Reigns

Get to know the fascinating family headed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and comprised of her four children, eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren—some of whom may someday become the King of England.

The Royal Family

It&#39;s a 1,200-year-old institution that has weathered wars, disease, and everything in between. But why has the British monarchy survived when so many others have faltered?

The modern British monarchy can trace its roots back centuries, to the period when the island of Great Britain was a collection of disparate kingdoms in England, Scotland, and Wales. That changed over time, as these kingdoms consolidated into a single monarchy.

Why does the British monarchy still exist? Though the monarchy has evolved, one theme persists: the delicate, shifting relationship between the monarch, the government, and the people. What kind of power does the monarch claim? Is it absolute? Is it limited? The answer to this is arguably the key to the British monarchy&#39;s longevity.

Britain is a constitutional monarchy; the monarch is the &quot;head of state&quot; but doesn&#39;t direct the government. That means Parliament does the actual work of governing and has long put checks on the monarch&#39;s power. The British monarchy&#39;s willingness to submit to the law, as well as its adaptability, has given it new leases on life when other kingdoms ousted their kings. The monarchy&#39;s <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/where-does-the-royal-family-get-its-money/setareh-janda" target="_blank">money matters</a>, for better or for worse, have also impacted its longevity, even as the royal family continues to <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/expensive-things-royals-spend-money-on/cleo-egnal" target="_blank">spend money on ridiculous things</a>.

Will Britain ever abolish the monarchy? Nobody knows for sure. But, if history is any indication, the British monarchy has shown its will to survive by adapting and relinquishing power. That could mean the monarchy will persevere,&nbsp;or it could mean that it will simply drive&nbsp;itself into oblivion. Only time will tell.

The Actual Reasons Why The British Monarchy Has Survived For So Long

Depending on the monarchy, <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/whoa-historical-kings/mallory-weiler" target="_blank">becoming king</a> can happen in one of several ways. Some kings earn their place on the throne through military conquest, while others are born into the role. Still&nbsp;others are placed into a position of power by groups of supporters who prefer them to the current king.

A new king may be a willing participant or - as is the case with these young monarchs - end up wearing a crown that is much too big for them, and before they even know what it is. Many of the youngest <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/notable-monarch_s)/reference?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">kings in history</a> became rulers while they were, as the saying goes, still in diapers. At least one was a king before he was even born. Here are the youngest kings in history who climbed on the throne, but likely needed a boost to get there.

14 Of The Youngest Kings In History

Melissa Sartore

Look: There are hundred of thousands of movies out there for you to watch. All we're saying is that these are the ones you should put at the top of your list.

Greatest and Favorite Movies

All Ariel wants is to be where the people are, and she'll do anything to get there.

Part of Your World

Animated

A list of the best princess movies, including live action and animated princess films, ranked by voters like you. It includes princess movies for audiences of all ages. What are the best princess movies?These are the top&nbsp;princess films, including the esteemed <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-disney-princess-movies">Disney Princess movies</a>, as well as both old and new good princess movies. Princess stories are the stuff of legend and make for both great cartoon movies as well as non-animated films. Whether it be the royalty, the glamor, the regal behavior, or the beautiful dresses, princess movies have something for everyone, from comedy to drama.For decades, princess movies have enthralled audiences worldwide, with tales of beautiful ladies and the handsome princes who fall in love with them. And while some princesses are the stereotypical &quot;damsels in distress,&quot; (check out this list of <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/7-disney-princesses-that-make-the-worst-role-models/molly-mahan">seven Disney princesses that make bad role models</a> for examples), other, more modern on-screen royals prove to be tougher – they solve their own dilemmas, thank-you-very-much. One good example: One of the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-disney-princesses">best Disney princesses</a> in recent times, Princess Merida from Brave, was perfectly capable of handling everything on her own.Not all of the greatest princess films are animated. Some, like Enchanted, Ella Enchanted, and Ever After, are set in modern times. And really, what list of the best princess movies would be complete without 1987's The Princess Bride, one of <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/what-movies-can-you-watch-over-and-over-again--v1">the most rewatchable movies</a> of all time?Okay, princess movie fanatics: Start voting, and let's decide, once and for all, which princess film is the greatest ever!

The Swan Princess

The Best Princess Movies

The Best Movies About Princesses, Ranked By Fans

Every baby deserves a beginning that includes a thoughtful name full of significance, power, and hope.

Meaningful Monikers

If you want your baby to have a strong name that instills a sense of leadership, you may be on the lookout for some great baby <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/baby-names-that-mean-prince-or-king/famous-names?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">names that mean king</a>. Luckily, for both males and females, there are plenty of regal names to choose from. If you're on the hunt for the perfect name, you've come to the right place. Browse this list of names that mean king below!&nbsp;There are plenty of traditional names meaning king for parents who prefer something more conventional. Old fashioned boys names like Frederick roughly translate to king and unisex names like Rory and Ryan also carry the meaning. However, for those looking for more unique names, there are plenty of cute options there as well. In addition to meaning regal, Basil has extra meaning in that it's a saint's name.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-convincing-new-fan-theories-about-star-wars/stephanroget" target="_blank">Star Wars&nbsp;</a>fans who loved the new films may be excited to learn Rey means king. Darius and its female form&nbsp;Darya&nbsp;mean kingly and, for those looking for a more original version of Theodore,&nbsp;Theoden&nbsp;is a literary name that means king.&nbsp;Do you have a favorite name that means king? Give the best options a thumbs up and please add any good names we may have missed.

The Best Baby Names That Mean King

Given Name

The Best Baby Names That Mean King, Ranked by Votes

Famous Names

Wealth

Throughout history, wealthy&nbsp;people &ndash;&nbsp;like many <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/notable-monarch_s)/reference" target="_blank">notable kings</a>&nbsp;&ndash;&nbsp;had extravagant weddings. For these inestimably costly ceremonies,&nbsp;pre-celebration festivities often&nbsp;included very lavish dowries on behalf of the new brides. Sometimes, these nuptials that involved famous dowries took place between <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/weird-royals-in-history/danielle-ownbey" target="_blank">weird royals</a>&nbsp;&ndash;&nbsp;like uncles and nieces and already closely related cousins.&nbsp;But who had the&nbsp;biggest&nbsp;dowry&nbsp;in&nbsp;history?

A fair number of medieval and early modern princesses and archduchesses were given lots of land as their dowries, and their husbands wed them for the promise&nbsp;of significant revenue&nbsp;from these properties. Sometimes, these territories were so vast they&#39;re nearly unthinkable. For example, Eleanor of Aquitaine&nbsp;brought the rulership of most of southwestern France &ndash;&nbsp;her duchy of Aquitaine&nbsp;&ndash;&nbsp;to both of her husbands. Anne of Denmark wed Eleanor&#39;s descendant, James VI of Scotland/I of England, and brought the Orkney Isles with her. But was this the&nbsp;biggest&nbsp;dowry&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;world?

Other wives have brought a ton of cash with them to their newly minted husbands. Modern-day royal Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess of Greece, apparently brought $200 million to her husband, while Portuguese princess Catherine of Braganza&nbsp;gave her spouse, Charles II of England, trading rights all over the world.

The Most Lavish Dowries In History

Carly Silver

Whoa Facts

As one of the world&#39;s oldest government systems, <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/notable-monarch_s)/reference" target="_blank">monarchies</a> have&nbsp;existed in some form for millennia. In all that time, historical royals have done some pretty unbelievable things. From a prince finding a creative way to get out of prison,&nbsp;to a queen who escaped the confines of court by living out her own fantasies, some facts about royals in history are hard to believe. Yet, while they all sound made up, they are absolutely true.

Interesting royal history and facts highlight the power and precarious privilege of&nbsp;kings, queens, princes, and princesses through the ages. After all, successions could be tricky, and&nbsp;royals didn&#39;t always represent the culture of their subjects. These wild facts reveal the disconnect between how people believe royals lived and acted, and how many of them actually lived, acted, <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/historical-royalty-quotes-that-sound-fake-but-are-true/setareh-janda" target="_blank">and even spoke</a>.

Facts About Historical Royals That Sound Made Up But Aren’t

For us plebians, it&#39;s hard to fully imagine what life as a royal is like. Because there are so few people who can even slightly relate to this lifestyle, it&#39;s been the center of much questioning over the years. What do their daily lives look like? How did they get their nicknames? Have they always been so well-known?&nbsp;

A lot of these royal family questions are a little superficial and can likely be answered by the common knowledge about the rules and regulations of royal families today. Others, however, take a little more finesse and understanding of historical events. That&#39;s where the Reddit channel AskHistorians&nbsp;comes in. This page consists of questions posed by curious people who just want answers to some of history&#39;s&nbsp;biggest questions - obvious or never been asked before. Then, actual historians and professionals answer those questions with well-sourced information.

Take a look at some of the history questions about royal people and families that we wish we had the answers to long ago.

Historians Answer Questions About Historical Royals We Should Have Asked Ages Ago

Historians Answer Questions About Historical Royals

Mallory Weiler

Royalty lists at Ranker - The ultimate source for hundreds of royalty lists and rankings