I Rule the Land: 2000 Edition Trivia Quiz

Answer: Albert II

Albert II (born 1934) was the sixth monarch of Belgium. The younger brother of Baudouin I (or Boudewijn), Albert reigned as King of the Belgians from 1993 to 2013, when he abdicated in favor of his son Philippe. He married Donna Paola Ruffo di Calabria (Queen Paola) in 1958. Albert represented Belgium at home and abroad before resigning for health reasons.

Answer: Margrethe II

Margrethe II (or Margaret) (born 1940) became the first Queen Regnant of Denmark since Margrethe I in the fifteenth century. The daughter of Frederik IX, Margrethe became Queen of Denmark in 1972. She is a member of the House of Glucksburg and married Henri de Laborde de Monpezat (Prince Henrik) in 1967. Like many constitutional monarchs, the Queen serves as a representative of Denmark rather than playing an active role in ruling the country.

She chooses not to vote so to be impartial.

Answer: John-Adam II

John-Adam II (or Hans-Adam) (born 1945) became Prince of Liechtenstein upon the death of his father Alois. Beginning his reign in 1989, Hans-Adam passed on day-to-day decision making to his son, Prince Alois, in 2004, though Hans-Adam is still the legal Head of State for Liechtenstein. Hans-Adam holds more power than many constitutional monarchs, including the authority to veto referenda. Hans-Adam married Countess Marie Kinsky von Wchinitz und Tettau in 1967.

Answer: Henry

Henry (Henri) (born 1955) became Grand Duke of Luxembourg in 2000 upon the abdication of his father, Grand Duke John (Jean). He married Marķa Teresa Mestre y Batista in 1981. Until 2009, the Grand Duke's formal assent was required for laws. Although Henri's role is primarily ceremonial, he formally appoints prime ministers and governments.

Answer: Rainier III

Rainier III (1923-2005) of the House of Grimaldi, was Prince of Monaco from 1949 until his death. He was married to the former actress Grace Kelly from 1956 until her death in 1982. Under his reign, Monaco's economy transformed from being largely dependent on gambling to being much more diversified. Under Monaco's 1962 constitution, Rainier's power was reduced.

Answer: Beatrix

Beatrix, Queen of the Netherlands (born 1938) was the daughter of Queen Regnant Juliana and granddaughter of Queen Regnant Wilhelmina. Reigning from 1980 to 2013, she abdicated in favor of her son Willem-Alexander. While growing up, she spent several years with her family living in exile in Canada while the Netherlands were occupied during World War Two.

In 1965, she married Claus von Amsberg, a German aristocrat who was a somewhat controversial choice because of his membership in the Hitler Youth and Wehrmacht. Like many constitutional monarchs, the role of Beatrix was largely symbolic.

Answer: Harold V

Harold (or Harald) V (born 1937) is a member of the House of Glucksburg. He became King of Norway on the death of his father, Olav V. He married Sonja Haraldsen in 1968. Harald represented Norway in sailing in the 1964, 1968, and 1972 Summer Olympics. Though holding a largely ceremonial role, Harald's actions during times of crisis in Norway have been generally viewed positively both within and without Norway.

In 2015, he became the first reigning monarch of any country to visit Antarctica.

Answer: John Charles I

John Charles (or Juan Carlos) I (born 1938) was the first monarch of Spain after the death of Generalissimo Francisco Franco. A member of the House of Bourbon, he reigned from 1975 to his abdication in 2014. He married his wife Queen Sophia (former Princess Sophia of Greece) in 1962.

His support for democracy is seen as helping to pave the transition for Spain after Franco's death. He abdicated in favor of his son, Felipe VI.

Answer: Charles XVI

Charles (or Karl) XVI Gustaf (born 1946) is a member of the House of Bernadotte. He became King of Sweden in 1973 upon the death of his grandfather, King Gustaf VI. In 1976, he married Silvia Sommerlath in 1976. (The ABBA song "Dancing Queen" was publicly performed for the first time the evening before their wedding.) Although the Swedish Kings had been transitioning to a constitutional role through much of the 20th century, the 1974 Instrument of Government formally stripped most powers from the monarchy.

Answer: Elizabeth II

Elizabeth II (born 1926) is the fourth monarch from the House of Windsor to rule over the United Kingdom. Reigning as Queen since 1952, she became the second monarch in English/British history to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee (60 years) with the first being Queen Victoria (r. 1837-1901).

She is a World War Two veteran, having served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service. During her reign, many former British colonies gained independence including Malaysia, Nigeria, and Jamaica. She married Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, in 1947, and has four children.