Future monarchs of Asia

Asia has six monarchies, two of which are elective. The Royal News Organisation takes a look at the future monarchs of Asia.

Bhutan

Photo: Royal Office for Media

The youngest heir in Asia is Crown Prince Jigme Namgyel – the nine-year-old son of King Jigme Khesar and Queen Jetsun Pema of Bhutan. He has two younger siblings, Prince Ugyen Wangchuck and Princess Sonam Yanden. According to the Constitution of Bhutan, the monarch has to abdicate at the age of 65 if the heir apparent has reached the age of 21. 

Brunei

By Chin Yu Chu – https://www.flickr.com/photos/195030826@N02/53063796025/, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

The heir to the throne of Brunei is Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah, 51, as the firstborn son of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. He is married to Sarah, and they have four children. If the government remains the same, the Crown Prince will be Brunei’s next absolute monarch following the abdication or death of his father. 

Cambodia

Cambodia doesn’t have a heir apparent as it is an elective monarchy. The current monarch, King Norodom Sihamoni, was the son of Cambodia’s previous King, Norodom Sihanouk. The current monarch does not have any children, meaning who will succeed him is currently unknown. 

Japan

Photo: Royal Hashemite Court

Japan only allows men to inherit the throne, and as a result, the country only has three men in its line of succession. The Emperor has a daughter, but as she is not allowed to reign in her own right, the Emperor’s younger brother, Fumihito, is the Crown Prince of Japan. The 60-year-old is followed in the line of succession by his only son, Hisahito (19) and his uncle, Prince Masahito (90). 

Thailand

Thai Public Relations Department

While Thailand does not currently have a declared heir to the throne, it is believed to be Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, as the only recognised son of King Rama X. However, he has long been rumoured to have developmental disorders, which would make his rule difficult. As such, the King’s eldest daughter, Princess Bajrakitiyabha, was long believed to be the unspoken heir to the throne. The Princess has been in a coma since December 2022, with no hopes of recovery, leading the role of heir ultimately undecided. 

Malaysia

The Sultan of Perak. By Iclif Executive Education Centre at ASB – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOrHKIqv6ZQ – View/save archived versions on archive.org and archive.today, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

The King of Malaysia is elected to a five-year term and is selected among the nine hereditary rulers of the Malay states. An informal agreement states that the role of King (or Yang di-Pertuan Agong) alternates between the nine rulers. Following the agreement, the next monarch will be the Sultan of Perak, Nazrin Shah, in January 2029.