6 European Royal Families Today

2. House of Glücksburg

Full name of the Glücksburg royal family is House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg. They are descendants of the House of Oldenburg and Scandinavians monarchs during the Calmar Union in the 15th century. Currently they hold the thrones of Norway and Denmark, by King Harald V and Queen Margrethe II respectively. They are both direct descendants of King Frederick VIII of Denmark. Frederick’s brother Vilhelm became George I, King of Greece, in 1863. The Glücksburg family ruled Helens until 1973 when a military junta overthrew the monarchy. The last King of Helens, Constantine II, hold the title Prince of Denmark, just like his cousin Harald V. Prince Phillip, Queen Elisabeth’s II husband, is also member of the Greek branch of the family, being a grandson of George I of Greece. His son Charles, Prince of Whales, besides belonging to the house of Windsor, also belong to the junior branch of the House of Glücksburg. That means that when (or if, at this point) Queen elisabeth dies and Charles is crowned King, House of Glücksburg will acquire another throne.

The current head of the house is Christoph, Prince of Schleswig-Holstein.