MODERN MONARCHS

All hail the new breed of blue bloods to obsess over.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel
All hail the new breed of blue bloods to obsess over.
Talita von Fürstenberg as the face of Diane von Furstenberg’s fall/ winter 2018 campaign
Talita von Fürstenberg as the face of Diane von Furstenberg’s fall/ winter 2018 campaign

Shakespeare once wrote, “Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.” In today’s age of modernity and constitutional monarchy, the idea of sovereign responsibilities has taken on a very different incarnation. Whereas past kings and queens ruled with iron fists from high atop their ivory towers, this young group of monarchs-in-waiting, royal progenies and aristocrats have captured the attention of the public well beyond their borders through an intriguing mix of style, presence and savviness.

From taking part in conversations surrounding the empowerment of women, to highlighting the importance of protecting the environment, and with ties that run deep within the realms of pop culture and fashion, the members of this new generation of royalty also manage the feat of looking good while championing causes that matter to them.

The digital revolution has only added to their mystique and allure. When it comes to the royals of today, every incident, event or appearance is shared across every corner of the globe in a matter of seconds, then carefully studied and analysed by the citizens of the world with equals parts fervour and devotion.

Talita von Fürstenberg

When it comes to this royal, the apple certainly doesn’t fall far from the tree. Her grandmother was the queen of Studio 54, and immortalised by Andy Warhol in one of his paintings. It’s no wonder then that Talita von Fürstenberg, granddaughter of Diane and her ex-husband Prince Egon von Fürstenberg (of the German aristocratic Fürstenberg family), is a fashion muse. She was recently revealed as the face of her grandmother’s namesake label under the new direction of Nathan Jenden, and a TVF x DVF collaboration is said to be in the works.

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Princess Tunku Tun Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Sultan Ibrahim with husband Dennis Muhammad Abdullah

Princess Tunku Tun Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Sultan Ibrahim of Johor
The only daughter of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Ismail of Johor, Princess Tunku Tun Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Sultan Ibrahim is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. Her lavish wedding to Dutchman Dennis Muhammad Abdullah is a testament to her loving personality. Along with dignitaries, the Princess also invited all the palace staff—from stable boys who taught her how to ride, to soldiers and bodyguards who protected her family during her formative years as a child—because she wanted the people she grew up with to partake in her happiness. Her Highness, who went to school in Singapore, is also a patron of the Johor Bahru Classical Music Festival and is a natural when it comes to rocking out with the conga.
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Princess Iman bint Abdullah of Jordan
The eldest daughter of Their Majesties King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan, Her Highness Princess Iman bint Abdullah of Jordan is the spitting image of her beautiful and eloquent mother, and one of the most captivating princesses in the royal circle. Her Highness is a decorated equestrian who started training at the age of 12, and she supports her father’s initiative of encouraging the youth to be more physically active. The Princess has accompanied her parents on royal tours to Europe and Asia, and currently attends Georgetown University in Washington D.C. with her elder brother, His Highness Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan.
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Lady Amelia Windsor
Described by the English broadsheets as “the most beautiful member of the royal family”, Lady Amelia Windsor, daughter of George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews, is 36th in line to the British throne. A spokesperson for the now defunct D&G as a teen and constant front-row darling, she is signed with Storm Models and most recently appeared on the fall/winter 2017 catwalk of Dolce&Gabbana alongside Lady Kitty Spencer and Princess Maria-Olympia of Greece and Denmark.
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Hugh Grosvenor, 7th Duke of Westminster
The Duke of Westminster is the dictionary definition of a modern English blue blood—incredibly handsome, with a stellar academic pedigree, and a literal billionaire. His Grace owns the Grosvenor Estate, which includes over 1,500 properties in 60 countries, and acres of the exclusive Mayfair and Belgravia neighbourhoods in London. And, he is only 27 to boot.
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King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan with Queen Jetsun Pema and Crown Prince Jigme Namgyel

Queen Jetsun Pema of Bhutan
Her Majesty Queen Jetsun Pema became the youngest queen in history in 2011, when the then-21- year-old married Bhutan’s “Dragon King”, His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. A modern woman of the world, Her Majesty was raised in Bhutan, studied in India and read International Relations and Art History at Regent’s College in London. This impossibly striking Queen is also a loving mother to the heir apparent to the Dragon Throne, and dedicates her life to the public servitude of the Bhutanese people, spending most of her time touring the country on foot to reach the remotest regions with His Majesty.
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Prince George and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge with Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

Prince George and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge
Third and fourth in line to the British throne respectively, Their Royal Highnesses Prince George and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge are the children of His Royal Highness Prince William and Her Royal Highness Princess Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and the most adorable of English royal babies. Natural internet meme generators, be it getting reprimanded by the Duchess of Cambridge at the wedding of Pippa Middleton or waving proudly on the first day of school, these inquisitive young royals are already stealing the hearts of the world.
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Lady Kitty Spencer
As the eldest daughter of Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, and niece of the late Princess Diana, Lady Kitty Spencer has possibly the strongest ties with fashion for any blue blood. With an aunt who so famously wore Versace to much aplomb, Lady Kitty Spencer also holds her own in the rarefied world of high fashion: In addition to walking Dolce&Gabbana’s runway, she’s also the face of the brand’s #DGVenezia campaigns for spring/summer 2018.
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Charlotte Casiraghi
While a private citizen, there is nothing common about Charlotte Casiraghi. The daughter of Her Royal Highness Princess Caroline of Hanover and the granddaughter of Her Serene Highness the late Princess Grace of Monaco, Casiraghi is every bit a princess and a style star in her own right. Often topping best dressed lists, this front-row fixture is also the equestrian ambassador for the House of Gucci and a highly decorated jumper. But her sartorial cred does not end there: Casiraghi also added publisher to her already impressive resume by creating a magazine to promote the importance of sustainability in fashion.
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Prince Constantine-Alexios of Greece and Denmark
The eldest son of His Highness Crown Prince Pavlos and Crown Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece and Denmark, and the godson of Prince William, His Highness Prince Constantine-Alexios of Greece and Denmark is the latest male European royal to leave fangirls screaming. Currently a sophomore in Georgetown University in Washington D.C., His Highness, or “Tino” as he likes to be known, is also the cousin of Talita von Fürstenberg.
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Prince Abdul Mateen of Brunei
The 10th son of His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Mateen is a total heartbreaker. Be it in a sharp three-piece Savile Row suit, or riding boots when he saddles up for polo, or even topless when casually tanning on his yacht in the Mediterranean, His Highness’ loyal legion of 776,000 fans on Instagram constantly wait for updates with bated breath, and live vicariously through his posts on social media. Athletic good looks aside, His Royal Highness is also a loving and filial brother who considers his elder sister, Her Royal Highness Princess Fadzillah Lubabul Bolkiah, as the “real captain of the ship”.
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Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana of Thailand
The youngest daughter of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun of Thailand, Her Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana of Thailand is a complete renaissance woman who is a humanitarian, decorated equestrian and esteemed fashion designer. A front-row staple during couture week in Paris, Her Highness’ close ties with the French capital is the stuff of dreams: In 2007, the storied French House of Balmain invited her to show her debut collection to a standing ovation at Paris Fashion Week. Since then, she has continued to present her nuanced take on one of the greatest exports from the Land of a Thousand Smiles, Thai silk, in Bangkok.
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Prince Fahad bin Faisal Al Saud of Saudi Arabia
His Highness Prince Fahad bin Faisal Al Saud of Saudi Arabia is the ruggedly-handsome and hirsute tech entrepreneur stealing hearts while fighting for human rights on social media. A firm believer of female empowerment, His Highness is the most visible on Instagram (@yolofahad has 117k and counting followers) and the most progressive of the Arab royals—his company, NA3AM, launched the Saudi Girls Revolution comic and gaming series, and created the Middle East’s first superheroine.
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Princess Mako of Japan
The eldest daughter of His Imperial Highness Prince Akishino of Japan and granddaughter of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan, Her Imperial Highness Princess Mako of Akishino is a gifted multi-linguist who is fluent in Japanese Sign Language and is often seen acting as a voice for the deaf community—much like her mother Her Imperial Highness Princess Akishino of Japan. The dedicated humanitarian visited the victims of the 2011 Tōhuku earthquake and tsunami. Her Imperial Highness is expected to give up her title upon her marriage to Kei Komuro, a commoner, in 2020, but it’s clear the Japanese people will never give her up in their hearts.
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Princess Larissa Maria of Windisch- Graetz with her cavalier at le Bal des Débutantes 2014

Princess Larissa Maria of Windisch-Graetz

The youngest and only daughter of Their Serene Highnesses, Prince Mariano Hugo and Princess Sophie of Windisch-Graetz, Her Serene Highness Princess Larissa Maria of Windisch-Graetz is a staple at the couture shows. Her Serene Highness made her debut in Paris at the 22nd annual le Bal des Débutantes in 2014, wearing the dreamiest of Valentino haute couture gowns, and has expressed a desire to be part of the fashion industry like her mother, who was a model and fashion journalist.

PHOTOGRAPHY: INSTAGRAM; SHOWBIT; TPGVIP/CLICK PHOTOS