Between following along with the royal family and watching The Crown on Netflix, it's pretty easy to assume that being a royal in waiting has to be at least a little weird. Living life, knowing that one day they'll be reigning over their country someday? That's a lot of responsibility, but women in monarchies all over the world are able to take that responsibility and do something amazing with it when its their turn to step up to the plate and become queen.
When we think of future queens, our minds immediately go to Kate Middleton — even though, technically, she'll be queen consort since she married into royalty instead of being born into it — but there are ladies all over the world who are royal by blood and expected to rule, and some of them are still kids. There are a number of future queens of Europe who are in line for the throne, and even though some of them are years away from stepping up, they all know that their destiny is to be queen.
Read on for all of the royal ladies who will be queen someday — from Princess Victoria of Sweden, and her 8-year-old daughter, Princess Estelle, to 16-year-old Princess of Orange Catharina-Amalia. Being queen has to be a stressful job, but these ladies seem up to the task.
Princess Leonor of Spain
Princess Leonor may only be 14 years old, but she is destined to rule eventually. Her parents are King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain, and as their oldest daughter, Leonor, will eventually be queen — but hopefully not for a long, long time from now. She'll be ready for the task when it's her turn to rule.
Ready for Duty
According to Hello! Magazine (via Diario de Mallorca), at a royal engagement earlier this year, someone asked Princess Leonor what she wanted to be when she grew up. But she didn't answer. Instead, her mom, Queen Letizia stepped in, responding, "What she has to, not what she wants." Sounds like they're taking her royal future very seriously already!
Princess Elisabeth of Belgium
Princess Elisabeth, whose parents are King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium, hasn't always been destined to rule. The 18-year-old Duchess of Brabant became the heir apparent in 2013 when her grandfather, King Albert II, stepped down from the throne. Now, when Elisabeth steps up, she will become the first queen to reign over the country.
Preparing for Her Role
As Tatler reported back in May, there's one big thing Princess Elisabeth is going to do before she's queen: Join the military academy. Elisabeth is reportedly planning to enroll in Belgium's Royal Military Academy — much like her father did — where she will learn leadership skills and take part in extensive physical training.
Princess Victoria of Sweden
As the oldest child of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, Princess Victoria of Sweden, 43, will eventually take the throne, becoming the fourth queen in Spain's history and the first woman to reign since 1720. When she was 3 years old, in 1980, parliament changed the act of succession, making her able to reign as the oldest child, instead of the family's oldest male, who would have been her younger brother, Prince Carl Philip.
Celebrating Another Year
As People reported in July, this summer, Princess Victoria celebrated her birthday but had to alter her plans a bit because of current world events in order to keep everyone safe. She was able to attend a small, socially distanced concert with her family, including her brother, Prince Carl Philip, and her kids, Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar, were also able to be there.
Princess Estelle of Sweden
Princess Victoria's daughter, Estelle — who is now 8 years old — is next in line to reign after Victoria. Even though she's tiny now, eventually, she'll be queen! After a long line of men ruling over Sweden, Victoria and Estelle are about to break that streak in a major way, though Estelle won't take the crown for a long time from now.
She's Already Doing the Work
Princess Estelle may only be a child, but she's already working to make an impact. In fact, in February, the monarchy announced the Princess Estelle Cultural Foundation in a post on Instagram, sharing that Estelle wanted to "emphasize the importance of art and culture to an open and modern society," offering up a free sculpture exhibit to all citizens.
Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway
As the daughter of Norway's Crown Prince Haakon, and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Ingrid Alexandra — who is now 16 years old — is set to rule herself someday. Right now, her grandfather, Herald V, is king, making her second in line to the throne. And when she does eventually become queen, Ingrid will be the second woman in her country to do so.
Making an Impact
According to Ingrid Alexandra's page on the royal family's website, her main project is the Princess Ingrid Alexandra Sculpture Park, which opened in 2016. Every year, Ingrid Alexandra chooses the sculptures that will be added to the garden, and they're all created by kids for other kids to enjoy. When she's not carrying out royal engagements, or going to school, the site says she loves kickboxing, skiing, and water sports.
Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands
Thanks to her grandmother, Queen Beatrix, abdicating the throne in 2013, Princess Catharina-Amalia is now the heir apparent in the Netherlands. The oldest daughter of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima, Catharina-Amalia is now 16 years old… and she already has her future planned out as the next Dutch queen.
She's the Princess of Orange
According to the Netherlands' royal family's official website, Catharina-Amalia is the Princess of Orange — a title that can only be held by the heir to the throne. Interestingly enough, one of her godparents is Princess Victoria of Sweden, and in her free time, Catharina-Amalia likes to ride horses, play hockey, play the piano, and sing.
Honorable Mention: Kate Middleton
Because Kate Middleton was not born royalty, but became a member of the royal family when she and Prince William tied the knot in 2011, she won't be queen. Instead, she'll be known as the queen consort when Will eventually takes the throne. That's why she gets an honorable mention on this one, but people will probably still refer to her as Queen Kate.
She'll Bring a Lot to the Throne
Considering how well Kate has done since becoming the Duchess of Cambridge almost a full decade ago, there's no doubt she'll tackle her role as queen consort just as well. One of Kate's biggest passions is helping women and children, especially babies, and it wouldn't be surpising if she continues her work in that area when Will takes the throne.
Honorable Mention: Princess Charlotte
Unless something wild happens, Princess Charlotte — who turned 5 years old in 2020 — will probably never be queen, but she's still in line for the throne, so she kind of counts. In fact, Charlotte is fourth in line to the throne, following her grandpa, Prince Charles; her dad, Prince William; and her older brother, Prince George.
The Cutest royal
Kate and Will have cute kids, and Charlotte is one of the most adorable (and stylish) royals ever. Though she may never be queen, her father may choose to give her the title Princess Royal when he's king, because as the oldest daughter of a reigning monarch, she'll be eligible, just like Elizabeth's daughter, Princess Anne.
