Modern Countries With Monarchs Who Actually Wield Real Power

For decades, all of the kings of Saudi Arabia have been sons of Ibn Saud, the man who single-handedly created the modern country. Since Ibn Saud himself was born in 1875, that means that his country's monarchs have been increasingly old men with increasingly short reigns in recent years.

The current ruler, King Salman, and his family have control of the country's vast oil reserves (and thus of a lot its wealth). The king has tons of political, legislative, and judicial power, much of it controversial.

Vatican City might be tiny, but it's powerful. The smallest independent state in the entire world, the 100-acre area has its own currency, its own monarch - the Pope - and its own flag. Technically, Vatican City isn't even part of Italy, and the Holy Father, the last absolute monarch in Europe, has authority over everyone and everything in his jurisdiction.

At the southwestern tip of the Saudi peninsula sits the tiny nation of Oman, ruled by Sultan Qaboos bin Said. Since ascending to power in a coup in 1970, Sultan Qaboos, as he is popularly known, has led Oman into the modern era. He has massively improved the country's GDP and is known as a determined peace-keeper. The Sultan holds pretty much every major political role himself, but remains a mysterious, little-seen presence.

The succession to the sultanate is up in the air. The Sultan has left the decision to a council, with his own preference - written in an envelope - only to be revealed if they can't decide on a successor.

The tiny principality of Monaco is ruled by Prince Albert II, a member of the famed Grimaldi family and the son of Hollywood luminary Grace Kelly. Monaco is one of the few countries in Europe where the monarch plays a regular role in politics. Prince Albert is also amongst the world's richest royals, with a net worth estimated about $1 billion. But he's had his fair share of scandals - he allegedly assaulted a woman, ducked out of paying his bills, and has accepted bribes.

Although the southeast Asian nation of Brunei has only been independent since 1984, its ruler has a lot of control over its day-to-day dealings thanks to a family history that stretches back decades. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has full executive authority, and has exercised his power by reportedly naming himself infallible and implementing more conservative religious laws in the country.

Ironically, the royal family is frequently accused of corruption. The Sultan's brother was on trial for stealing nearly $15 billion from the government while serving as finance minister. The Sultan himself lives in a palace with nearly 2,000, rooms and once allegedly paid Michael Jackson $7 million to perform at his birthday. He also maintains a harem and supports homophobic policies.

King Mswati III of Swaziland, the final absolute monarch in sub-Saharan Africa, wields considerable power. He banned all opposition parties, and used tens of millions of dollars to support his large family. Just a month after he ascended to the throne, King Mswati dissolved his royal council and gave more power to his siblings.

He's also known for his playboy ways. He lives lavishly in a poverty-stricken country, and got engaged to his fifteenth wife in 2013.