Rare photos of the world's youngest monarchs

Rare photos of the world's youngest monarchs

Rare photos of the world's youngest monarchs

Rare photos of the world's youngest monarchs

Rare photos of the world's youngest monarchs

Rare photos of the world's youngest monarchs

Rare photos of the world's youngest monarchs

Rare photos of the world's youngest monarchs

Rare photos of the world's youngest monarchs

Rare photos of the world's youngest monarchs

Rare photos of the world's youngest monarchs

Rare photos of the world's youngest monarchs

Rare photos of the world's youngest monarchs

Rare photos of the world's youngest monarchs

Rare photos of the world's youngest monarchs

Rare photos of the world's youngest monarchs

Rare photos of the world's youngest monarchs

Rare photos of the world's youngest monarchs

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See Again

© Getty Images

0 / 26 Fotos

King Oyo of the Toro Kingdom, Uganda -

King Oyo was crowned at the tender age of three. During his coronation, he sat on a miniature throne and played with toys. At one point he took off his crown and ran to his mother to hide.

© Reuters

1 / 26 Fotos

King Oyo of the Toro Kingdom, Uganda -

He is currently still the youngest king in the world, but he looks a lot more comfortable on his throne now!

© Getty Images

2 / 26 Fotos

Ahmad Shāh Qājār, King of Persia -

Ahmad Shāh took the throne in 1909 when his father was overthrown. He was 11 years old.

© Getty Images

3 / 26 Fotos

Ahmad Shāh Qājār, King of Persia -

It was said that he was one of the most selfish kings of Iran. He ruled for only 14 years and was exiled to Europe after a military coup.

© Getty Images

4 / 26 Fotos

King Alfonso XIII of Spain -

Queen Isabella II was named the monarch of Spain after her father's death when she was three years old. Her grandson, Alfonso XIII, was named the King of Spain the moment he was born.

© Getty Images

5 / 26 Fotos

King Alfonso XIII of Spain -

His mother acted as Queen Regent during his childhood, and he took full control when he turned 16.

© Getty Images

6 / 26 Fotos

King Michael I of Romania -

King Michael came to the throne at the age of five during a very tumultuous time in Romania's history.

© Getty Images

7 / 26 Fotos

King Michael I of Romania -

His uncle took power again three years later and Michael was reduced to crown prince.

© Getty Images

8 / 26 Fotos

King Michael I of Romania -

He returned to the throne and became King Michael once more when he was 19 years old.

© Getty Images

9 / 26 Fotos

King Simeon II of Bulgaria -

King Simeon ascended to the throne at the age of six, but his rule was short as the monarchy was abolished three years later.

© Getty Images

10 / 26 Fotos

King Simeon II of Bulgaria -

He left Bulgaria but returned as an adult to start his own political party, and was elected prime minister in 2001. He's pictured here shaking hands with Prince Charles.

© Getty Images

11 / 26 Fotos

Queen Wilhelmina of Holland -

Queen Wilhelmina was appointed at the age of 10 following her father's death.

© Getty Images

12 / 26 Fotos

Queen Wilhelmina of Holland -

She is well known for her radio broadcasts during WWII, which made her a symbol of Dutch resistance against the German invasion.

© Getty Images

13 / 26 Fotos

King Peter II of Yugoslavia -

King Peter was the last king of Yugoslavia. He was named king at the age of 11 after his father was assassinated during a trip to France.

© Getty Images

14 / 26 Fotos

King Peter II of Yugoslavia -

He escaped to London during a coup before he came of age. The monarchy was abolished and he lived out the rest of his life in the US.

© Getty Images

15 / 26 Fotos

Emperor Puyi of China -

Emperor Puyi was the last Emperor of China. He came to power in 1908 at the age of two. During his coronation, he had to be carried to the throne kicking and crying.

© Getty Images

16 / 26 Fotos

Emperor Puyi of China -

A revolution began when he was six years old, and the last Chinese dynasty began to crumble.

© Getty Images

17 / 26 Fotos

Emperor Puyi of China -

He escaped China during WWII and later ended up working as a repairman at a botanical garden.

© Getty Images

18 / 26 Fotos

Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck of Bhutan -

Jetsun Pema married the "Dragon King" of Bhutan in 2011, when she was 21 years old.

© Getty Images

19 / 26 Fotos

Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck of Bhutan -

She is currently the youngest reigning queen in the world. She's pictured here with Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, on a royal visit.

© Getty Images

20 / 26 Fotos

Queen Elizabeth II of England -

Queen Elizabeth II was coronated after her father's death. She took the throne at the age of 26.

© Getty Images

21 / 26 Fotos

Queen Elizabeth II of England -

Despite her young age, Elizabeth was well prepared. Her father King George VI suffered a long illness and she began taking on more and more role duties before his death.

© Getty Images

22 / 26 Fotos

King Sobhuza II of Swaziland -

King Sobhuza was one of the longest ruling monarchs in history. He became king when he was one years old and ruled until his death at the age of 83.

© Getty Images

23 / 26 Fotos

King Mswati III of Swaziland -

After his death, he was succeeded by one of his many sons. King Mswati III took the throne at 18 years of age.

© Getty Images

24 / 26 Fotos

See also -

For more fascinating royal history, check out this list of royals who survived assassination attempts!

© Getty Images

25 / 26 Fotos

©

Getty Images

0 / 26 Fotos

King Oyo of the Toro Kingdom, Uganda -

King Oyo was crowned at the tender age of three. During his coronation, he sat on a miniature throne and played with toys. At one point he took off his crown and ran to his mother to hide.

©

Reuters

1 / 26 Fotos

King Oyo of the Toro Kingdom, Uganda -

He is currently still the youngest king in the world, but he looks a lot more comfortable on his throne now!

©

Getty Images

2 / 26 Fotos

Ahmad Shāh Qājār, King of Persia -

Ahmad Shāh took the throne in 1909 when his father was overthrown. He was 11 years old.

©

Getty Images

3 / 26 Fotos

Ahmad Shāh Qājār, King of Persia -

It was said that he was one of the most selfish kings of Iran. He ruled for only 14 years and was exiled to Europe after a military coup.

©

Getty Images

4 / 26 Fotos

King Alfonso XIII of Spain -

Queen Isabella II was named the monarch of Spain after her father's death when she was three years old. Her grandson, Alfonso XIII, was named the King of Spain the moment he was born.

©

Getty Images

5 / 26 Fotos

King Alfonso XIII of Spain -

His mother acted as Queen Regent during his childhood, and he took full control when he turned 16.

©

Getty Images

6 / 26 Fotos

King Michael I of Romania -

King Michael came to the throne at the age of five during a very tumultuous time in Romania's history.

©

Getty Images

7 / 26 Fotos

King Michael I of Romania -

His uncle took power again three years later and Michael was reduced to crown prince.

©

Getty Images

8 / 26 Fotos

King Michael I of Romania -

He returned to the throne and became King Michael once more when he was 19 years old.

©

Getty Images

9 / 26 Fotos

King Simeon II of Bulgaria -

King Simeon ascended to the throne at the age of six, but his rule was short as the monarchy was abolished three years later.

©

Getty Images

10 / 26 Fotos

King Simeon II of Bulgaria -

He left Bulgaria but returned as an adult to start his own political party, and was elected prime minister in 2001. He's pictured here shaking hands with Prince Charles.

©

Getty Images

11 / 26 Fotos

Queen Wilhelmina of Holland -

Queen Wilhelmina was appointed at the age of 10 following her father's death.

©

Getty Images

12 / 26 Fotos

Queen Wilhelmina of Holland -

She is well known for her radio broadcasts during WWII, which made her a symbol of Dutch resistance against the German invasion.

©

Getty Images

13 / 26 Fotos

King Peter II of Yugoslavia -

King Peter was the last king of Yugoslavia. He was named king at the age of 11 after his father was assassinated during a trip to France.

©

Getty Images

14 / 26 Fotos

King Peter II of Yugoslavia -

He escaped to London during a coup before he came of age. The monarchy was abolished and he lived out the rest of his life in the US.

©

Getty Images

15 / 26 Fotos

Emperor Puyi of China -

Emperor Puyi was the last Emperor of China. He came to power in 1908 at the age of two. During his coronation, he had to be carried to the throne kicking and crying.

©

Getty Images

16 / 26 Fotos

Emperor Puyi of China -

A revolution began when he was six years old, and the last Chinese dynasty began to crumble.

©

Getty Images

17 / 26 Fotos

Emperor Puyi of China -

He escaped China during WWII and later ended up working as a repairman at a botanical garden.

©

Getty Images

18 / 26 Fotos

Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck of Bhutan -

Jetsun Pema married the "Dragon King" of Bhutan in 2011, when she was 21 years old.

©

Getty Images

19 / 26 Fotos

Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck of Bhutan -

She is currently the youngest reigning queen in the world. She's pictured here with Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, on a royal visit.

©

Getty Images

20 / 26 Fotos

Queen Elizabeth II of England -

Queen Elizabeth II was coronated after her father's death. She took the throne at the age of 26.

©

Getty Images

21 / 26 Fotos

Queen Elizabeth II of England -

Despite her young age, Elizabeth was well prepared. Her father King George VI suffered a long illness and she began taking on more and more role duties before his death.

©

Getty Images

22 / 26 Fotos

King Sobhuza II of Swaziland -

King Sobhuza was one of the longest ruling monarchs in history. He became king when he was one years old and ruled until his death at the age of 83.

©

Getty Images

23 / 26 Fotos

King Mswati III of Swaziland -

After his death, he was succeeded by one of his many sons. King Mswati III took the throne at 18 years of age.

©

Getty Images

24 / 26 Fotos

See also -

For more fascinating royal history, check out this list of royals who survived assassination attempts!

©

Getty Images

25 / 26 Fotos

Rare photos of the world's youngest monarchs

Some of these kings and queens weren't even old enough to vote!

Rare photos of the world's youngest monarchs

© <p>Getty Images</p>

22/09/21 | StarsInsider

LIFESTYLE Royalty

The idea of a hereditary monarchy is questionable at the best of times. The first born child (or first born male child) automatically takes the throne, regardless of their suitability or desire for the role. This system has certainly yielded some interesting results in the past, but it really takes a weird turn when the new ruler happens to be a baby! Let's take a photographic jaunt down memory lane and see some of the youngest kings and queens in recent history. Click through the gallery to get started.

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