The new generation of Royals (aka the cool ones you've probably never heard of) 👑
It’s not just Prince William & Kate Middleton making the royals cool again. Take a look at these young princes and princesses, making a difference in the world of sport, politics, fashion and finance. Trust us, there’s not a dusty tiara in sight!
Getty ImagesPrince Carl Philip of Sweden
Born: 1979
No it’s not Henry Cavill but Prince Carl Philip, the fourth in line to the Swedish throne. His similarities with the Man of Steel don’t end there: Carl Philip is a fan of anything outdoorsy and has competed in the longest cross-country ski race in the world. He’s also a racing nut and a dab hand with a paint brush, having studied graphic design. Unfortunately (for us) this royal Superman isn’t single, having married former glamour model Sofia Hellqvist in 2015.
Rex FeaturesPrincess Alexandra of Luxembourg
Born: 1991
This is one princess who’s more interested in politics than palaces. While other royals were practising their curtsies, Alexandra was doing an internship at the UN, volunteering to help refugees and working in the Middle East. She studied social sciences in America, philosophy and ethics in Paris and is currently doing a Masters in conflict resolution in Dublin.
Getty ImagesPrincess Charlene of Monaco
Born: 1978
Monaco seems blessed with bright, young royal things and among them is the statuesque Princess Charlene. The former South African Olympic swimmer was catapulted into royal circles when she met Monaco’s Prince Albert at a swimming competition. But the pair were hit by rumours in the week running up to their 2011 wedding when it was alleged that Albert had fathered a third illegitimate child and that Charlene had got cold feet and tried to flee Monaco. They have managed to put all this behind them and Charlene gave birth to a set of twins in December 2014.
Getty ImagesPrince Albert of Thurn und Taxis
Born: 1983
You may never have heard of Prince Albert or of Thurn und Taxis but this is one royal worth knowing about. At the age of eight, Albert became the world’s youngest billionaire and inherited several breweries, castles and thousands of acres across Germany. He studied at the University of Edinburgh before becoming heavily involved in racing car driving. And it seems, thus far, this is his only true love as he’s yet to settle down with someone special.
Getty ImagesPrincess Tatiana of Greece and Denmark
Born: 1980
It’s not really surprising that this is a princess who knows how to dress – before she was married to Prince Nikolaos of Greece and Denmark, Tatiana worked for Diane Von Fürstenberg. When it comes to outfits, the Venezuelan-born Tatiana rarely disappoints, stepping out in everything from metallic silver pants to a bra-revealing sheer top. Not your average royal attire.
Getty ImagesCharlotte Casiraghi of Monaco
Born: 1986
As a single parent with her own career, Charlotte Casiraghi is a thoroughly modern princess. The daughter of Princess Caroline of Monaco, she’s BFFs with Stella McCartney and has appeared in Vanity Fair’s Best Dressed List. But her fashion credentials don’t end there – she’s graced the cover of French Vogue and is editor-at-large of Above, a fashion, “eco-art” magazine.
Getty ImagesLady Amelia Windsor
Born: 1995
Dubbed the coolest member of the British royal family (sorry Harry), Lady Amelia Windsor is more at home at Glastonbury than a draughty, old ballroom. She may not be a princess (her grandfather is the Queen’s first cousin), but she rocked a mean tiara when she modelled for Dolce & Gabbana at Milan Fashion Week. Lady Amelia is currently studying at Edinburgh University but, according to her Instagram (@amelwindsor), she also spends her days sailing, attending fashion shows and hanging out with the likes of Rafferty Law and Anais Gallagher. As you do.
Getty ImagesPrincess Sofia Hellqvist of Sweden
Born: 1984
Sofia Hellqvist certainly shook up the Swedish royal family when she married Prince Carl Philip in 2015. Prior to becoming a princess, Sofia was a glamour model – famously posing for a men’s magazine wearing bikini bottoms and a live boa constrictor to cover her modesty. She also starred in a Swedish reality TV show, before meeting her Prince Charming in a restaurant where their mutual friends were having dinner. The pair are now expecting their second child
Getty ImagesPrince Sebastien of Luxembourg
Born: 1992
Like your princes sporty and brave? Prince Sebastien might be right up your street. The 25-year-old is also not living a million miles away as he’s followed in the footsteps of William and Harry and is currently undertaking the officer training course at Sandhurst in Berkshire. He’s a fantastic rugby player, even being selected to represent Luxembourg in international competitions, and is fluent in French, German. English and Luxembourgish so communication is never a problem.
Getty ImagesPrincess Ameerah Al-Taweel of Saudi Arabia
Born: 1983
Ameerah Al-Taweel became a princess when she married Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal at the age of 18 after interviewing him for her school paper (How Fifty Shades!). He was 28 years her senior and the couple were amicably divorced in 2013 after two years of marriage. Since then, Ameerah has gone on to champion women’s rights in Saudi Arabia, and publicly expressed her desire to be among the first women to drive in the country.
Getty ImagesPrince Alexander von Fürstenberg
Born: 1970
Alexander’s surname originated from his German father - Prince Egon von Fürstenberg but ironically, it’s his mother, fashion designer Diane Von Fürstenberg, who made it world famous. Despite his European royal heritage, Alexander grew up in New York, where he lived in the Carlyle Hotel rather than a castle. With a head for business, Alexander founded an investment company and helped turn his mother’s fashion label into a multi-million-pound lifestyle brand.
Getty ImagesPrincess Sirivannavari Nariratana of Thailand
Born: 1987
Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana might be a royal, but she has a pretty impressive CV. The 30-year-old has represented Thailand in badminton and dressage, presented her own catwalk show at Paris Fashion Week and worked with Pierre Balmain on one of his collections.
Getty ImagesAndrea Casiraghi of Monaco
Born: 1984
Despite being nicknamed “enfant terrible” and “rebel angel” by the French media, Andrea Casiraghi, the grandson of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier of Monaco, has embraced philanthropy in recent years. He spent eight months teaching kids in Africa and is the patron of several children’s charities. It’s thought his wife, billionaire socialite Tatiana Santo Domingo, and their two children have been a taming influence on him.
Getty ImagesDon Lorenzo Borghese dei Principi
Born: 1972
Italian prince Lorenzo has gone to extreme lengths to find love, even appearing in reality TV shows The Bachelor and America’s Next Princess. But, so far, it’s been to no avail. As well as a title, Lorenzo has a lot to offer – he’s founded a beauty line for pets and an Italian cosmetics company, as well as written an historical romance novel about one of his ancestors.
Getty ImagesPrince Felix of Luxembourg
Born: 1984
With dashing good looks and a brooding countenance, there’s something of the Disney prince about Felix. He certainly ticks all the usual royal boxes (skiing enthusiast, Swiss boarding school, Sandhurst, multi-lingual). He found his Cinderella in bioethics researcher Claire Lademacher and the couple now live with their two children in a chateau in the South of France.
Getty ImagesQueen Letizia of Spain
Born: 1972
Queen Letizia and Kate Middleton have lots in common: not only do they both share an impeccable sense of style, but, like the Duchess of Cambridge, Queen Letizia was also born a “commoner”. Before marrying King Felipe VI of Spain, Letizia had a very successful career as a journalist and news anchor and, along with her pretty young daughters, has been credited with bringing some glamour back to the Spanish monarchy.
Getty ImagesPierre Casiraghi of Monaco
Born: 1987
Pierre’s early life was tainted with tragedy after his father died in a boating accident when he was just three. That doesn’t seem to have stopped him inheriting his family’s love of adventure – he enjoys car racing and is a fan of inshore boat racing. Pierre married Beatrice Borromeo in 2015 and they have a son, Stefano.
Rex FeaturesPrince Philippos of Greece and Denmark
Born: 1969
With smouldering good looks and debonair style, Philippos is a prince straight out of a fairytale. However, following the abolition of the Greek monarchy in 1974, Phillippos no longer has an actual kingdom and his family were living in exile in Rome until recently. Instead, Philippos has focussed on his career, working for the Fox News Network in the US. Sadly, this is another prince who’s well and truly off the market – he married Tatiana Ellinka Blatnik in 2010.
Getty ImagesPrincess Madeleine of Sweden
Born: 1982
Like many royals, Princess Madeleine is a horse enthusiast and has competed in several show-jumping competitions under a pseudonym. But she has a bookish side too – she’s fluent in English, German and Swedish and has a degree in art history from the University of Stockholm. Despite her talents, Madeleine’s private life hasn’t been without drama – she was previously engaged to lawyer Jonas Bergström but the wedding was called off last minute when the couple broke up. Since then she’s found love with British financier Christopher O’Neill and the couple live in London with their two children.
Getty ImagesPrincess Marie of Denmark
Born: 1976
Everyone seems to love Princess Marie – even her husband Prince Joachim’s ex-wife Alexandra is a fan and the pair are often seen socialising together at the same parties. Born in France, Marie Cavallier became a Danish citizen and converted to the Lutheran Church of Denmark when she got married. She now has two children as well as two step children from her husband’s previous marriage.
