With Queen Elizabeth's death in 2022, Queen Margrethe of Denmark became Europe's last reigning queen. Her abdication less than two years later marked the end of an era for Europe's female monarchs. While there are currently no women sitting on Europe's thrones, that will one day change. Waiting in the wings is a new generation of Princesses poised to become Queens Regnant.
Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria, Belgium's Princess Elisabeth, the Netherlands' Princess Catharina-Amalia and Spain's Princess Leonor are all first in line to their respective thrones, while Norway's Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Sweden's Princess Estelle are expected to succeed their respective parents in the future.
These Princess are the faces of the future, who will usher in a new era of Queens across Europe.
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden
© Pascal Le Segretain/Getty ImagesBorn in 1977, Crown Princess Victoria is the eldest child of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden's children. At the time of her birth, Sweden had an agnatic order of succession, meaning that the throne could only be inherited by males.
But in 1980, Sweden introduced absolute primogeniture, making Crown Princess Victoria the heir to the Swedish throne and moving her ahead of her younger brother, Prince Carl Philip.
Her father has called Victoria "an extraordinary asset to me, my family and our country," and said: "I am proud of her and her tireless work for Sweden."
When she ascends the throne, Victoria will become Sweden's fourth Queen Regnant and the first since Queen Ulrika Eleonora, who abdicated in 1720. On her wedding day, King Carl XVI Gustaf told his firstborn: "You are the successor to the throne of Sweden. It is a mission that comes with duties and responsibilities. And it is with pride and gratitude I have seen you grow into this role."
"One day you will — because so it is stated in our constitution — succeed me as the head of state of Sweden. My mind is put at ease when I see the wisdom and determination by which you prepare yourself for this task."
The country won't have to wait long after Victoria for another female monarch. The Crown Princess' daughter, Princess Estelle, born in 2012, is directly behind her in the line of succession.
Princess Elisabeth of Belgium
© Geert Vanden Wijngaert/Getty ImagesThe day Princess Elisabeth of Belgium ascends the throne, she will make history as the country's first Queen Regnant. King Philippe and Queen Mathilde's daughter has acknowledged the significance of that moment, once telling royal reporter Wim Dehandschutter that while it will be a historic, "my gender is not the only thing that defines me."
The Princess, born in 2001, holds a bachelor's degree in history and politics from Lincoln College and a master's degree in public policy from Harvard. Following her graduation from Harvard in May 2026, the Princess is taking time for herself before she is expected to take up an active role within the Royal House.
Although she is not yet a full-time working royal, Wimm, author of the biography Elisabeth: Expedition Throne, tells HELLO! that the Princess has "become by far the most popular member of the Belgian royal family" and "has long overshadowed her father."
"If it were up to the Belgians, Elisabeth would become queen within 5 years, in or around 2030," said Wimm Dehandschutter
When it comes to possibly abdicating, King Philippe, whose own father abdicated in his favor, has previously said: "I must give my daughter time to enjoy her youth, develop herself and see the world and I support her 100 percent in that and I will do everything I can to give her all the time she needs to do."
According to Wimm, some Belgians would like to see the Princess on the the throne before she turns 30. "If it were up to the Belgians, Elisabeth would become queen within 5 years, in or around 2030," Wimm said, citing a poll on the monarchy that was conducted this summer. "She will be in her late twenties then, King Philippe around seventy. Time for rejuvenation, many believe."
Realistically, however, Wimm believes Elisabeth could ascend the throne in 2040. The trust already placed in her, he explains, is not only based on what she has done so far, but on "the kind of queen she promises to become: intelligent, conscientious, and approachable."
Elisabeth has accepted her future and is said to find it reassuring that she knows what she is going to do for the rest of her life. "She is showing enthusiasm and commitment," Wimm says. "She wants it. To become Queen. It is much more than just a job or a task. It is a life's work and a profound devotion."
Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands
© Patrick van Katwijk/WireImageThe Netherlands is no stranger to female monarchs. The country's last reigning Queen, Beatrix, abdicated in 2013 after 33 years on the throne. Following her father King Willem-Alexander's accession, Princess Catharina-Amalia became first in line to the Dutch throne and is expected to become the Netherlands' next Queen Regnant.
The Princess of Orange, born in 2003, is the eldest of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima's three daughters. After taking a gap year, the Princess enrolled in the Politics, Psychology, Law and Economics (PPLE) Bachelor's program at the University of Amsterdam in 2022. In 2025, she began a bachelor's programme in Dutch law at the school, while also participating in a two-year part-time military work and study program at Defensity College.
Amalia herself has pointed out that there is "no school for becoming a queen." "I think that means I have to look very much into the past, but at the same time also have to move with the times," she's said.
"She is widely seen as the ideal future queen. People consider her intelligent, empathetic, and deeply committed to her future role," said Annemarie de Kunder
In fact, it is her grandmother Queen Beatrix’s reign, rather than her father’s, that RTL Boulevard's royal reporter Annemarie de Kunder believes Amalia's future reign may resemble. "Amalia is serious and sometimes a little reserved and aristocratic, much like Queen Beatrix. King Willem-Alexander is more relaxed and down-to-earth, and I don't think that is something we will see much of when Amalia becomes queen," Annemarie tells HELLO!.
The Princess is described as being "very popular" at home in the Netherlands. "She is widely seen as the ideal future queen. People consider her intelligent, empathetic, and deeply committed to her future role," Annemarie says.
Like Beatrix, Annemarie believes Willem-Alexander may eventually abdicate in favor of his firstborn. However, the Dutch King has previously remarked that he wants his daughter, who is “perfect for her next role," to first "go everywhere, "make mistakes" and find her boundaries.
"Her parents genuinely want her to enjoy her student years and give her the freedom to decide whether or not to attend royal engagements," Annemarie says. "They want her to enjoy it above all and not feel too much pressure. Her father has often expressed it with the saying, 'She must first get to know herself before she can mean something to someone else.'"
Amalia has already vowed to dedicate her life to her country. In Claudia de Breij’s book Amalia, the future Queen said: "If I can prevent a bad situation through diplomacy, if I can make the world a little bit better, then I am happy. I am in the service of my country. I give my life to the Netherlands."
Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway
© Ida Bjørvik - Handout/Getty ImagesWhile not first in order of succession yet, Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway is second in line to the throne, after her father, Crown Prince Haakon. The Princess' paternal grandfather, King Harald V, has reigned since 1991 and has previously shared that he has no plans to abdicate, explaining that he oath he took lasts for life.
Although Haakon is the King's younger child, a constitutional amendment was adopted in 1990 established absolute primogeniture, meaning Ingrid, who was born in 2004, would not be bypassed by her younger brother, the way her aunt, Princess Märtha Louise was.
Princess Ingrid Alexandra is the daughter of Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit. After completing 15 months of military service, the royal began her studies at the University of Sydney, pursuing a three-year degree with a focus on international relations and political economy. In the fall of 2026, she will contiues her studies at the University of Oslo as an exchange student.
"She is popular, and I get the impression that people have faith in her as a future monarch," said Caroline Vagle
"The Princess is academically strong, interested in what is happening in the world, and particularly passionate about the environment," Se og Hør's royal reporter Caroline Vagle tells HELLO!. "She is sporty and fearless, and loves life on skis and on a surfboard. I find her unpretentious and cool, warm and caring, and very capable. All of that bodes well for the future."
Amid the scandals involving her older brother, Marius Borg Høiby, and mother in recent years, Ingrid Alexandra has "in many ways been a breath of fresh air," Caroline observes.
"She has taken on responsibility and represented the Royal Family much more than before. And when she has been out carrying out official duties, she has generated positive headlines – something that has been very much needed. She is popular, and I get the impression that people have faith in her as a future monarch."
The Princess will become Norway's first female monarch in more than 600 years, since Margaret I, who died in 1412. "She herself has said that it is about time Norway had a woman as monarch," Caroline notes. "She has also said that she is, of course, a feminist, and that [her grandmother] Queen Sonja has been a role model for her in that respect."
She's also learned a lot from her grandfather, the King. During a past interview with NRK (via Royal Central), the Princess said: "He has never sat me down and taught me in a way, I have not gone to any queen school. However, I learn a lot from him through everything he does and things he talks about. And then I think that in our role, the most important thing is not to be told what to do, but rather to make it your own. I have a lot of love for Norway."
Princess Ingrid Alexandra spoke about her love for the country on her 18th birthday, declaring that she felt "so lucky to have grown up in Norway." She said: "We all have our place in this society. We are different, we have been given different tasks, and we know how to do different things. Together we make up the Norway we love so much."
Princess Leonor of Spain
© Paolo Blocco/Getty ImagesAs with Ingrid Alexandra, Spain's Princess Leonor is set to make history the day she ascends the throne. Born in 2005, the Princess of Asturias is poised to become Spain's first Queen Regnant since Isabella II, whose reign ended in 1868.
Although succession to the Spanish throne follows male-preference cognatic primogeniture, Leonor remains first in line as the eldest child of King Felipe and Queen Letizia because her younger sibling, Infanta Sofia, is a daughter rather than a son who would have taken precedence over her.
In 2026, the Princess completed three years of military training with Spain's army, navy and air force. Next, she will start a four-year degree in Political Science at Charles III University of Madrid.
On her 18th birthday in 2023, Leonor swore to "faithfully carry out my duties, to uphold and ensure that the Constitution and the laws are upheld, to respect the rights of citizens and the Autonomous Communities, as well as loyalty to the King."
She also pledged that day: "I owe myself from today to all Spaniards, whom I will serve at all times with respect and loyalty. There is no greater pride. On this important day - which I will always remember with emotion - I ask you to trust me, as I have placed all my trust in our future, in the future of Spain."
King Felipe has reminded his firstborn that she is not alone on her path. "In your family you will find the necessary more personal support; and the Spanish people as a whole - to whom you owe yourself - will know how to recognize your dedication and dedication with their encouragement and affection," the Spanish monarch said on Leonor's 18th birthday.
"You are part of and represent a new generation that, like those that have preceded us, will have its own ideals, its way of seeing and understanding life, its vision of the world. And it will also have its own challenges..., which will always require the greatest preparation from you. Knowing more about our history every day, and valuing the diversity and cultural and natural wealth of our country will undoubtedly help you in that endeavor," the King continued. "Our obligation is to bequeath you the best of the Spain that we have received from previous generations. It is the Spain of freedom, coexistence and progress; despite the enormous difficulties that we have gone through over these 45 years."
Felipe additionally told Leonor that she will have the responsibility "to continue building Spain, adapting it to a world in full transformation. "And in this task, exciting and always unfinished, you must keep in mind the principles and values that unite us and that have united us throughout our recent history," he said. "The principles and values of the Constitution that you just swore to. That is the way to face the future with confidence; a trust that should accompany you Leonor and, of course, the next generations."
If there is one thing certain about the next generation of European monarchs, it's looking decidedly more female.
