Everyone has dreamed of becoming a prince or princess at some point in his or her life. Some dream when they are little kids while they’re running around in princess dresses and matching crowns and others when dreaming about owning private planes, the newest sports cars or spending with absolutely no restriction. Regardless of your future goals, no one can deny that becoming a member of a royal family would be nothing less than fabulous.

Besides being born into the family, the easiest and perhaps quickest way of becoming a member of any royal family is through marriage. There are currently 26 monarchies that reign over a total of 44 different countries. Not every monarchy serves with absolute power. In Great Britain, for example, the elected body, parliament, holds virtually all the power and Queen Elizabeth II has a very limited rule. Here’s a quick introduction to a few of the largest, wealthiest monarchies.

United Kingdom
The United Kingdom homes the most famous constitutional monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II is the current monarch with her son Charles, Prince of Wales, as the apparent heir to the throne. She is the oldest reigning monarch in the world. Her two grandchildren, William and Henry, are probably the most media scrutinized princes in the world.

Liechtenstein

This country made a rare move in 2003 with a national referendum. A new constitution was proposed and eventually replaced that expanded the powers of the monarchy. It is a principality meaning the state is ruled by a monarch with the title of prince. Prince Hans-Adam II is very popular within his country and has been ruling since 1989. He and the Princess of Liechtenstein have four children and 15 grandchildren.

Kingdom of Spain- constitutional monarchy

Spain is a constitutional monarchy. In Spain’s particular case this makes the king more of a ceremonial figurehead. The monarchy is hereditary with King Felipe VI serving as the current head of state. He is married to Letizie Ortiz Rocasolano and they have two daughters. The eldest and first in line for the throne is Leonor, Princess of Asturias, age 9.

The Netherlands

The Kingdom of the Netherlands, like Spain, has a constitutional monarchy. Again the monarch does not have any real power inside government. Willem-Alexander took the throne on April 30, 2013 after his mother abdicated the throne. He married an investment banker who worked in New York City in 2002. Together they have three young daughters.

Japan

Emperor Akihito also represents a constitutional monarchy as a figurehead. The Emperor has been ruling since 1989 and is thought to be the 125^th emperor to serve. When the Emperor married in 1959 his wife, Michiko Shoda, became the first commoner to marry into the Imperial Family. They have three children together with the oldest, Naruhito, serving as the Crown Prince of Japan.

The United Arab Emirates

A federation of seven hereditary monarchies runs the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The president of the capital state, Abu Dhabi, is usually the president of the entire nation. The country is young, only finding their independence from Great Britain in 1971. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the current incumbent president has two sons.

Saudi Arabia- absolute monarchy

Serving as king and prime minister, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud inherited power in 2015 after the death of his father. Power in this country is absolute though the king must comply with Islamic law and the Quran. The royal family is extremely large and it is estimated that there are over 7,000 princes. The Crown Prince, the second in line for the throne, is Muhammad bin Nayef.