Coronavirus: Thai king criticised for staying in Germany during pandemic is world’s richest royal
Sheikhs from the oil-rich Middle East have had to accept second billing in the royals’ rich list – and the UK royal family might not be as rich as you think
Did you know that the Thai king, who has been criticised for remaining in Germany while the coronavirus pandemic grips his nation and its subjects, is the richest royal in the world?
Despite the fact insulting the monarchy is illegal in Thailand, King Vajiralongkorn, 67, has been subject to widespread online scrutiny at home since it emerged he was staying in his second residence in Europe while the Covid-19 pandemic unfolds.
The Thai king is by far the world's richest leader. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, of Brunei, comes in a distant second with a total wealth valued at US$28 billion.
The third richest royal is from the Middle East. The wealth of King Salman bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud, from Saudi Arabia, is valued at around US$18 billion, followed by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan, of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (US$15 billion), King Mohammed VI, from Morocco (US$8.2 billion); and Prince Hans-Adam II, of Liechtenstein (US$7.2 billion).
King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Thailand: US$43 billion