The World’s Most Influential Royal Children
When it comes to pop culture, royal families have a significant role to play. After all, monarchies have existed since time immemorial and have been adopted by many different cultures. In most cases, monarchical powers are passed down from one family member to another, ensuring that a single bloodline maintains power for as long as possible.
Therefore, when a new regal is born, they tend to capture public attention. These days, it’s commonplace for fans and the media to obsessively follow the lives of royal children — and that makes sense when you consider that these blue-blooded youths are the future movers and shakers of the world.
Of course, not all monarchies are created equal. Some countries, including Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Brunei, practice absolute monarchies wherein the king or queen maintains total control over the country’s affairs. On the other hand are constitutional monarchies — such as Britain, Belgium, and Jordan — where the royal family has significantly less power. Still, regardless of a country’s political structure, royal family members tend to have the world at their fingertips — and this is especially true in the case of royal children. From inherited wealth to a ready-made celebrity status, being born into royalty comes with plenty of perks. That said, let’s meet some of the world’s most powerful royal kiddos.
Prince George of the United Kingdom
First up on our list is Prince George of the United Kingdom. Born in 2013, this royal child is already an international powerhouse. Young George is currently second in line to the throne after his father, Prince William. When he eventually inherits the crown, Prince George will become the leader of one of the world’s most powerful nations. As outlined by the British constitution, George won’t have executive authority over the country when he becomes king; however, he will have the power to appoint a prime minister and oversee parliament. With so many responsibilities looming in his future, George’s childhood is far from typical. In fact, the mini royal already has a laundry list of rules that he must follow.
Not only is George the English king-to-be, but he’s also fabulously wealthy. Since money is power, it’s safe to say that this young royal is a force to be reckoned with. Per the Economic Times, Prince George owns around 133,000 acres of land, which was gifted to him at birth. As he grows older, his wealth will continue to swell. When George eventually ascends the throne, he’ll have dibs on the family fortune, which includes a lavish real estate portfolio, priceless jewels, and extravagant fine art. Best of all, British law allows him to skip out on paying an inheritance tax for these items.
Princess Estelle of Sweden
Up next is Princess Estelle, the future Queen of Sweden. This young royal is second in line for the Swedish throne following her mother, Crown Princess Victoria. Princess Estelle is growing up fast, but she’s spent her entire life preparing for her future role as queen. At age 5, the youngster participated in a national campaign aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles among children. In a video (per People), little Estelle could be seen showing off her athletic prowess by doing somersaults with her dad, Prince Daniel. The commercial was a hit with the Swedish public and marked one of Estelle’s earliest acts of public service.
In Sweden, legislative authority belongs to parliament and elected officials; therefore, Estelle will have no formal power over the country’s affairs when she becomes queen. However, despite her lack of political influence, Estelle will have other means of accumulating power. For starters, the future Queen of Sweden will one day have access to her family’s riches, which total around $70 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Moreover, Princess Estelle will be an important diplomatic figure in Sweden and beyond. Although she’s still a teen, this future queen seems destined for success based on the overall popularity of the Swedish royals. In 2016, a Statista poll found that 74% of Stockholm said they supported the royal family.