LGBT-friendly royal families – Norway’s King Harald, Sweden’s King Karl, Spain’s King Felipe and India’s outspoken gay Prince Manvendra
The British royal family, however, is not the only one that has been vocal in its support for queer lives. Here are seven royals from around the world who have made their belief in equality clear to all.
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King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden
In summer 2000, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden made history when they ate under the rainbow flag at Djurgårdsterrassen, a Stockholm restaurant owned by gay owner Arto Winter. At that time, the decision was seen as controversial, and played a valuable role in moving conversations forward – while making the royals’ position abundantly clear.
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Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil of India
The son and probable heir of the Maharaja of Rajpipla in Gujarat caused quite a stir when he came out as gay in 2006. Quoted by NBC News, the Prince recalled it was the first day of Holi when the news of him being gay broke out in a local paper. Holi is India’s festival of colours, when wood and dung cakes are burned in a bonfire to signify the victory of good over evil.
“The same pyre was used to burn my effigies,” Gohil lamented. The prince was disowned by his family soon after, though the decision has been reversed due to legal reasons. Since his coming out, the prince is now one of the most vocal LGBTQ+ advocates in India.
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Queen Margrethe II of Denmark
Denmark has always been known as one of the most tolerant countries towards minorities. Same-sex sexual activity was legalised in 1933. Civil partnerships for same-sex couples were brought in by 1989. So, there wasn’t much controversy when the Danish government legalised same-sex marriage in 2012. Three days after the legalisation Queen Margrethe II gave the royal assent.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain
Soon after he ascended to the throne, King Felipe and Queen Letizia made a surprising move. For the first time ever, the Spanish head of state invited gay groups for a meeting at the Royal Palace of El Pardo. The place itself is significant to the LGBTQ+ community because this was where fascist dictator Francisco Franco signed a legal amendment classifying homosexuals as dangerous individuals.
Speaking to El País, LGBTQ+ leader praised the royal welcome. “The king and queen received us on their first week on the job, while the deputy prime minister did not even return our calls on the two occasions we requested a meeting with her,” said Boti García, president of the National Federation of Lesbians, Gays, Transsexuals, and Bisexuals (FELGTB).
“This invitation is a very good way to begin a reign. It also sends out a message of normality and integration for the gay community,” added José María Núñez, president of Fundación Triángulo.
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King Harald V of Norway
In 2013, a centre-right coalition took control of the Norwegian Parliament, creating a hostile climate many found intolerant toward minority groups. That is why when, in September 2016, King Harald V made a passionate speech in front of more than 1,000 guests outside Oslo’s Royal Palace about LGBTQ+ rights and refugees – lambasting discrimination of any kind – the rest of the country boomed with joy.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of The Netherlands
Despite the fact The Netherlands legalised same-sex marriage in 2001, no head of state had ever visited a LGBTQ+ centre or held a public discussion with the community – until November 2016, when King Willem-Alexander met with LGBT advocacy group COC Nederland at The Hague.
Earlier, in 2013, Queen Maxima attended a conference at the parliament for International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, and before that also attended a transgender symposium in Amsterdam.
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King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia
Socially conservative Cambodian society was shocked when King Norodom Sihanouk expressed his support for the LGBTQ+ community in 2004. According to BBC News, the 81-year-old king became moved after watching TV images about gay marriages in San Francisco. In a handwritten message, he wrote, “As a liberal democracy, Cambodia should allow marriage between man and man or woman and woman. God has various tastes.”
King Norodom Sihanouk’s unpopular view is now shared by his descendant, current King Norodom Sihamoni. Due to the royal family’s support, the so-called pink economy has flourished in the country, with many LGBT-friendly bars and coffee shops open in Cambodia.
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From Denmark’s Queen Margrethe to King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia, these are the royals who have spoken up and lead by example when it comes to equal rights for LGBTQ+ lives