When it comes to the heroes of the DC Universe, there are several different walks of life that they come from. Heroes from another world, wealthy elites who suffered tragedy and became vigilantes, and average citizens who took the call and became a hero in their hometowns, one way or another heroes have come from all corners of the universe.

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Some of these heroes are proven in fact to be royalty in their respective corners of the world or universe. From alien heroes who shirked the crown they were meant to wear or famous heroes who protect the world and their kingdoms, here are the ten most powerful heroes who come from royalty.

10 Shayera Thal

The first member of royalty to be featured has to be Shayera Thal, of the planet Thanagar. Originally the illegitimate daughter of the Thanagarian Administrator of Protection, the 2011 relaunch of DC Comics revamped Shayera Thal’s background to be the Princess of Thanagar, and eventually the Empress of Thanagar.

A former love interest of Katar Hol, Shayera was shocked when it appeared Katar had taken her brother’s life, the current ruler of Thanagar. Having him arrested, she later learned it had been a ruse by her power-mad brother, and she freed Katar. Later she was shown alive, using Martian technology to attempt to bring Thanagar back to its glory.

9 Brion Markov

One hero some fans will know well is Brion Markov, aka Geo-Force. Brion is the Prince of Markovia, and was given powers to stop an insurrection by the villain Baron Bedlam. Other heroes came to Markovia for their own purposes, including Batman, Katana, Black Lightning, Metamorpho and Halo, and together they stopped Baron Bedlam.

This led to the formation of the Outsiders, which Brion was a part of. Despite his short temper leading to conflicts with Batman, he was a valued member of the team, but he suffered a great loss when his sister Terra betrayed the Titans, working with Deathstroke and losing her life in the process.

8 Hippolyta

One of the most well known members of royalty in the DC Universe has to be Hippolyta, mother of iconic hero Wonder Woman and the Queen of the Amazons. Also the adoptive mother of Donna Troy, Hippolyta is charged with keeping Themyscira safe from the outside world, otherwise known as man’s world.

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A renowned warrior and longtime leader of the island of Amazons, Hippolyta is based on the Greek figure of the same name, who was also the leader of the Amazons. She was forced to banish Wonder Woman from the island after she left for man’s world, but has since allowed her home over the years.

7 Solovar

One royal hero of the DC Universe that is far too often overlooked is Solovar, the King and leader of Gorilla City. A hyper-intelligent Gorilla among an entire city of the same thing, Solovar often faces opposition from his longtime rival and famous Flash villain, Gorilla Grodd.

The Flash rescued Solovar from imprisonment and, in turn, was given access and knowledge of Gorilla City, becoming the first human to witness the city in all it’s glory in all of history. This is what began the long rivalry between Gorilla Grodd and The Flash, and also solidified the alliance between Flash and Solovar.

6 Circe

During the Post-Crisis era, one of Wonder Woman’s greatest foes was confirmed to be a member of royalty, and that foe was Circe. The daughter of the Titans Hyperion and Perseis, Circe is the powerful witch with a penchant for turning people, primarily men, into animals.

It is revealed she was previously a Princess of Colchis, she has been a follower of the god Hecate for thousands of years, and uses her magic to also control the minds of her victims as well. She was later given a goddess level power when Hecate left the world of the gods behind and gave herself to Circe.

5 Black Adam

One powerful antihero and foe in DC Comics that has proven to be of royal descent is Black Adam. Otherwise known as Teth-Adam, he is the son of the ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Ramesses II, making Black Adam of royal descent. Adam gains the power of Shazam after proving himself to the wizard Shazam.

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He rules and protects the people for centuries, until the evil daughter of Shazam, Blaze, corrupts and charms Black Adam into taking the Pharaoh’s life, making him the ruler of all of Egypt. Shazam stripped his powers away, leaving him to age rapidly until he was awoken centuries later.

4 Mera

The next hero that is a member of royalty is Mera, the daughter of the king of Xebel and the Queen of Atlantis. Originally shown to be the Queen of Xebel, aka Dimension Aqua, she was shown to be an alien on Earth, who met and fell in love with Arthur after he helped her stop the invader who had stolen her throne.

She would eventually marry Arthur, and despite the rivalry and hatred between Xebel and Atlantis, she would become the Queen of the famed underwater realm. She also joined the Justice League several times, and has helped save the world on multiple occasions.

3 Starfire

One of the more popular heroes of the DC Universe to be of royal descent is the alien princess and longtime Teen Titan, Starfire. Hailing from the planet Tamaran, Starfire was the chosen princess of her world, which upset her older sister Blackfire, who resented her younger sister for gaining the crown.

After Blackfire betrayed their home and put Starfire into enslavement, Starfire eventually escaped after experimentation gave her even greater power. She made it to Earth, where she met the Teen Titans and became a hero of Earth while sporadically facing her villainous sister, all the while being the rightful heir of Tamaran.

2 Aquaman

The second most powerful hero of royal descent is Arthur Curry, the half-human, half-Atlantean hero known as Aquaman. One of the biggest heroes of the Justice League, Arthur’s story is well known by now. A man raised on land and born to be the hero who brought both worlds together, his command of the ocean and all his power makes him a true warrior of Earth.

He is the rightful King and ruler of Atlantis, despite the many times he’s been kicked off the throne and he’s had to fight to regain his title. His biggest challenge to the throne is his brother Orm, a full-blooded Atlantean who believes the throne his right.

1 Wonder Woman

The most powerful member of royalty in the whole of DC Comics has to be Wonder Woman. The hero known as Princess Diana of Themyscira, Wonder Woman is one of the original trinity of DC Comics, alongside Superman and Batman. A powerful hero, she is a true Amazonian warrior.

Despite having to leave her home and not really having a chance to rule normally in her royal position, Wonder Woman is the true Princess of the island and her mother is Queen Hippolyta. If ever she took her mother’s role for herself, Wonder Woman would become one of the most powerful forces on Earth.

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