lucys
Courtier
- Joined
- Dec 31, 2003
- Messages
- 993
We talk a lot on this site about which royals rate in the world, or how, and every once in a while we get some more objective and studied opinions to give us perspective from outside our royal watching world. It can be something like Esquire Magazine this month naming Prince Felipe one of the 18 best dressed men in the world, or more substancially this new list by Forbes.
Forbes Magazine has published its list of the 100 most powerful women in the world. The list inlcudes 6 Queens. In order, they are, with Forbes' commentary:
Queen Rania (13)
Charity work and a common touch have led many to compare Queen Rania, wife of Jordan's King Abdullah bin Al-Hussein, with other famous women leaders, including Princess Diana or Eva Peron. Queen Rania, who comes from a Palestinian family, has been a key speaker at the World Economic Forum, where she pleaded for peace and for a concerted effort to improve the economic lives of the poor. Queen Rania is also making her mark by being outspoken on issues often taboo in Jordanian society, including championing an organization that publicizes and stops child abuse, one of the first of its kind in the Arab world, as well as spearheading a large non-profit that helps women become better business executives.-E.M.
Queen Elizabeth (22)
For the last 50 years, Queen Elizabeth II has watched her empire nearly lose its worldwide influence, her country get mixed up in the European Union, and her family endure a series of embarrassing tabloid scandals. Throughout these problems, the Queen, 78, remained unflappable. Indeed, she has shepherded her country through numerous geopolitical crises with a firm hand. As one of the world's most-watched monarchs, Britons love her and her sedate demeanor, not to mention her fashion sense. Her son Prince Charles is poised to be Great Britain's next king, the latest in a long line of colorful royals.-C.S.
Queen Beatrix (35)
Queen Beatrix, 66, became Queen of the Netherlands in 1980, when her mother Juliana abdicated the throne in her favor, making her the latest of four queens in a row to rule the Dutch. Her background has been tinged with controversy: After graduating Leiden University with a degree in politics, Queen Beatrix married German diplomat Claus von Amsberg in 1966, at a time when World War II was still fresh in the minds of the Dutch. Nevertheless, Queen Beatrix is a wildly popular royal in her part of the world, and her main priority for the Netherlands has been modernizing the Dutch monarchy. Queen Beatrix is also famously known for showing off her vast collection of giant hats.-C.F.
Queen Sofia (39)
Queen Sofia is a powerful force for change in her country. Spain's beloved and admired queen serves as head of The Queen Sofia Foundation, which funds programs towards education, agriculture, and the promotion of women. Born in Athens, Greece in 1938, Queen Sofia's lineage traces back through the Russian tsars and German emperors. A mother of three, the Queen has also been recognized with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from New York University.-C.F.
Queen Silvia (68)
Queen Silvia, 60, has reigned over Sweden since her marriage to King Gustaf XVI in 1976. Though the monarchy has no official political authority in Sweden, the monarchs serve as the international public face for the nation. Through her work with the World Childhood Foundation and the Royal Wedding Fund, Queen Silvia seeks to aid underprivileged and disabled children around the world.-D.B.
Queen Noor (83)
Few other queens have dedicated their lives to such an enormous array of humanitarian, education and environmental causes as the former Queen of Jordan. Her charity work spans landmine eradication and environmental conservation as well as women's and children's rights. The ever-gracious and elegant Queen Noor, 52, is also an active board member of the World Wildlife Fund International, United World Colleges and Seeds of Peace. The American-born Lisa Najeeb Halaby continues to be a vocal advocate for peace between Israel and the Arab world, as was her late husband, King Hussein.-D.B.
Any thoughts?
Forbes Magazine has published its list of the 100 most powerful women in the world. The list inlcudes 6 Queens. In order, they are, with Forbes' commentary:
Queen Rania (13)
Charity work and a common touch have led many to compare Queen Rania, wife of Jordan's King Abdullah bin Al-Hussein, with other famous women leaders, including Princess Diana or Eva Peron. Queen Rania, who comes from a Palestinian family, has been a key speaker at the World Economic Forum, where she pleaded for peace and for a concerted effort to improve the economic lives of the poor. Queen Rania is also making her mark by being outspoken on issues often taboo in Jordanian society, including championing an organization that publicizes and stops child abuse, one of the first of its kind in the Arab world, as well as spearheading a large non-profit that helps women become better business executives.-E.M.
Queen Elizabeth (22)
For the last 50 years, Queen Elizabeth II has watched her empire nearly lose its worldwide influence, her country get mixed up in the European Union, and her family endure a series of embarrassing tabloid scandals. Throughout these problems, the Queen, 78, remained unflappable. Indeed, she has shepherded her country through numerous geopolitical crises with a firm hand. As one of the world's most-watched monarchs, Britons love her and her sedate demeanor, not to mention her fashion sense. Her son Prince Charles is poised to be Great Britain's next king, the latest in a long line of colorful royals.-C.S.
Queen Beatrix (35)
Queen Beatrix, 66, became Queen of the Netherlands in 1980, when her mother Juliana abdicated the throne in her favor, making her the latest of four queens in a row to rule the Dutch. Her background has been tinged with controversy: After graduating Leiden University with a degree in politics, Queen Beatrix married German diplomat Claus von Amsberg in 1966, at a time when World War II was still fresh in the minds of the Dutch. Nevertheless, Queen Beatrix is a wildly popular royal in her part of the world, and her main priority for the Netherlands has been modernizing the Dutch monarchy. Queen Beatrix is also famously known for showing off her vast collection of giant hats.-C.F.
Queen Sofia (39)
Queen Sofia is a powerful force for change in her country. Spain's beloved and admired queen serves as head of The Queen Sofia Foundation, which funds programs towards education, agriculture, and the promotion of women. Born in Athens, Greece in 1938, Queen Sofia's lineage traces back through the Russian tsars and German emperors. A mother of three, the Queen has also been recognized with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from New York University.-C.F.
Queen Silvia (68)
Queen Silvia, 60, has reigned over Sweden since her marriage to King Gustaf XVI in 1976. Though the monarchy has no official political authority in Sweden, the monarchs serve as the international public face for the nation. Through her work with the World Childhood Foundation and the Royal Wedding Fund, Queen Silvia seeks to aid underprivileged and disabled children around the world.-D.B.
Queen Noor (83)
Few other queens have dedicated their lives to such an enormous array of humanitarian, education and environmental causes as the former Queen of Jordan. Her charity work spans landmine eradication and environmental conservation as well as women's and children's rights. The ever-gracious and elegant Queen Noor, 52, is also an active board member of the World Wildlife Fund International, United World Colleges and Seeds of Peace. The American-born Lisa Najeeb Halaby continues to be a vocal advocate for peace between Israel and the Arab world, as was her late husband, King Hussein.-D.B.
Any thoughts?