Which countries have monarchs with substantial governing powers?

In many contemporary nations, monarchs serve primarily as symbolic heads of state within constitutional monarchies, where actual political authority is exercised by elected officials. However, in several countries, monarchs retain substantial governing powers, often functioning as absolute monarchs or heads of state with significant executive influence.123

Countries where monarchs hold substantial governing power include:

• Eswatini: Recognized as one of the world's last remaining absolute monarchies, the monarch rules with significant authority.3
• Brunei: The sultan serves as both the head of state and the head of government, maintaining direct control over executive functions.4
• Saudi Arabia: The king combines legislative, executive, and judicial functions. While he is supported by a Council of Ministers and a Consultative Council, he holds the ultimate authority to appoint officials and approve major policy decisions.5
• Oman: The sultan acts as the head of state and often serves as the prime minister, overseeing the government with the assistance of a Council of Ministers.67

Other nations, such as Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Morocco, also maintain traditional monarchical systems where the ruling family or monarch exerts significant influence over the political and social landscape.1