Seven most magnificent palaces in the world
The prestigious magazine Architectural Digest has published a ranking of the world's most beautiful palaces. Let us take a look at the buildings that topped this list
In the modern world, the royal or imperial title has mostly symbolic significance.Today Monarchs are seen as figureheads limited in political power, but this does not stop them from being one of the richest people in the world.
1. King of Thailand: Bhumibol Adulyadej, $30 bn
Bhumibol Adulyadej was King of Thailand was the world's – and Thailand's – longest-reigning monarch at nearly seven decades on the throne. He was also one of the best loved, adored by most Thais, renowned as a kind and wise ruler who tried to help his people. After the devastation of the Vietnam War, and in competition with the ruling communist party of the day, the King won over his people by personally overseeing irrigation projects, among some 3,000 projects he personally funded for poor rural areas of the country during his reign. His fortune included, among other things, over 3,000 acres of land in central Bangkok owned by the Royal Thai Estates Agency, shares in Siam Cement and Siam Commercial Bank, and the dazzling 545-carat Golden Jubilee Diamond, the largest cut and faceted diamond in the world, along with other investments and properties. After the King's death in October 2016, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn declared a year of mourning before his ascension to the throne.
2. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi, $23 bn
Along with Emir of Abu Dhabi, Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan holds the titles President of the United Arab Emirates and Supreme Commander of the Union Defence Force. He's the second president of the United Arab Emirates and the 16th Emir, and he's been on the hereditary throne for about 12 years. He personally runs Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, the world's largest sovereign wealth fund. The organization manages excess oil money from the UAE, including assets of about $875 billion. Sheikh Khalifa is very popular among the military. He has a reputation for being a reform's supporter, and he is always focused on maintaining ties with the West.
3. Sultan of Brunei: Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, $20 bn
When Haji Hassanal Bolkiah took on the sultanate of Brunei in October 1967, he was continuing a family tradition of six centuries as its 29th ruler. He also rules concurrently as the prime minister, defense minister, finance minister and head of religion. He's known not only for his massive wealth but for his lavish spending of said wealth, including a royal residence. He owns several thousand cars, including 600 Rolls Royce cars, over 300 Ferraris, 134 Koenigsegg, 11 McLaren F1s, 6 Dauer Porsche 962 LMs and a few Jaguars just to mix it up. The Sultan also likes customized private jets, including a Boeing 747-400.
4. King of Saudi Arabia: Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, $50 bn
The fourth place among the richest monarchs in the world is occupied by King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud with a fortune of $ 17 billion. His governance is difficult to estimate unequivocally. On the one hand, he increased the number of executions, on the other - the monarch helped to strengthen the integration of the kingdom in the international community. Two years ago, Saudi Arabia joined the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations.
5. The Queen of England: Elizabeth II, $15 bn
The fifth line in this list is taken by the brilliant Queen of Great Britain Elizabeth II. She ascended the throneon 6 February 1952 at the age of twenty-five years after the death of his father, king George VI. Elizabeth II is recognized as the longest ruling august personality in the history of Great Britain. Her personal fortune is based on property in England and Scotland, fine art, gems and a stamp collection built by her grandfather. Buckingham Palace and the Crown Jewels do not figure in, as they are state-owned treasures.
6. Prince of Liechtenstein: Hans-Adam II von und zu Liechtenstein, $3.5 bn
Mostly known for owning Liechtenstein Global Trust, this head of state also has a reputation as a fine art collector with an elaborate assortment displayed at the Liechtenstein Museum. Liechtenstein as a country is very stable, with little to no crime, no army and no real enemies of which to speak.
7. King of Morocco: Mohammed IV, $1.5 bn
King Mohammed VI also combines the posts of marshal and Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Kingdom. The monarch has been in power for 18 years. Six years ago, King Muhammad VI held a constitutional reform, thanks to which the powers of the parliament and the prime minister of the country were expanded, the independence of the judicial system, the rights and freedoms of citizens were legally enshrined.
The prestigious magazine Architectural Digest has published a ranking of the world's most beautiful palaces. Let us take a look at the buildings that topped this list
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