Strongest Royal Characters Still Alive in the MCU, Ranked

As the MCU inches towards Avengers: Doomsday, the heroes of the franchise need to rack up not just the most powerful but also the most able leaders and royals to defeat Doctor Doom. Several royal characters in the franchise have either relinquished their titles or have perished in the previous films and shows, leaving the Avengers leaderless.

However, there are still some royals alive in the MCU, and their powers will give a tough fight to Doom. From Wakandans to Asgardians, here are the strongest royals that are still alive in the MCU.

7 M’Baku Has Proven Many Times Why He is a True King

Winston Duke in Black Panther | Credits: Marvel Studios

M’Baku is the leader of the Jabari Tribe and is the current king of Wakanda. While he was initially a champion against T’Challa and challenged him for the throne (as shown in Black Panther), he later protected the royals after Killmonger took over and then helped them win back the throne. He also defended the country from Thanos army.

M’Baku again heeded the call for a protector after T’Challa passed away and Namor attacked Wakanda. He joined forces with Shuri, the new Black Panther, and, after Namor surrendered, took over the throne while Shuri traveled the world. He has earned his rightful place as King, coming to protect the realm whenever he is called upon.

6 Valkyrie is the Last of a Clan and Has Earned Her Crown

Valkyrie in Thor: Ragnarok | Credits: Marvel Studios

Brunnhilde, a.k.a. Valkyrie, was a scavenger and sold Thor to the Grandmaster before she became the King of New Asgard. She was one of the few survivors on Statesman after the attack of the Black Order, and she managed to establish a colony on Earth. After Thor relinquished his title, she ruled her people with incredible statesmanship.

Her combat record against Asgardian-caliber opponents is exceptional, and her bonded pegasus gives her a mobility advantage few surface-based warriors can match. She is the last of the Valkyrie and has incredible combat experience. She is also forever protective of the throne. She is one of the most important supporting characters in the Thor franchise and would certainly be a worthy match for Doctor Doom.

5 Namor Protected His People When the Whole World Was Against Them

Namor in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever | Credits: Marvel Studios

Born Ch’ah Toh Almehen, the King of Talokan took the name Namor because a Spanish man who died in his hands called him the child without love, and because he had no love for the surface people. That is the most badass thing a royal has ever said in the MCU. Namor and the Talokan live underwater and are fiercely protective of their kingdom.

The reopening of Wakanda’s vibranium resources to the world was not accepted by Namor, and he proposed a military alliance with Shuri and the Golden Tribe, who refused. He was later defeated by Shuri’s Black Panther, but he is still one of the strongest royals alive in the franchise. His army of Talokans would be formidable against Doom.

4 Okoye, The Royal Protector of Wakanda, Is More Powerful Than Ever

Danai Gurira in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever | Credits: Marvel Studios

The Dora Milaje are one of the strongest warrior groups in the MCU, with their intense training and vibranium weapons. Okoye is their general, and she takes the role very seriously. She stood by T’Challa in his fight against Killmonger and Klaue, and she also helped Wakanda defend against Thanos’ army. She survived Thanos’ snap.

In Wakanda Forever, she helped Shuri protect Riri Williams, and after she stripped off her rank, she still protected the throne and became a Midnight Angel to fight against the Talokans in the war. With Shuri’s Midnight Angel armor, she is more powerful than ever.

3 Shuri Inherited a Throne She Never Wanted

Shuri was perfectly happy being the genius inventor and ‘guy in the chair’ for T’Challa. But his untimely death pushed her into the throne and more responsibilities. Her designs for the Wakandan military and other tech are unparalleled. She also protected Riri Williams against the Talokans and tried her best to save Vision against Thanos.

After the death of Ramonda and during the Talokanil-Wakanda war, she took on the mantle of Black Panther and defeated Namor, sparing his life at the end. She left the throne to M’Baku and went to Haiti, where she met T’Challa II. Shuri’s technical knowledge and power as a Black Panther make her one of the strongest royals on the list.

2 Captain Marvel’s Marriage of Convenience Makes Her A Royal

Carol and Prince Yan’s marriage in The Marvels | Credits: Marvel Studios

Captain Marvel is so powerful that she becomes a Deus-Ex-Machina most of the time she enters a scene. She has traveled across universes to help those in need and even helped the Avengers against Thanos in Endgame. Her marriage to Prince Yan in The Marvels made her a royal, though the marriage was not out of love, but was more of a diplomatic act.

1 The Heir of Wakanda, T’Challa II, Will Have More Impact in the MCU Soon

A still from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever | Credits: Marvel Studios

T’Challa’s death in Wakanda Forever, mirroring actor Chadwick Boseman’s own untimely demise, was a huge blow to the franchise. He was the rightful king of Wakanda, and his governance led to the country opening up its vibranium resources to the world. While Shuri did her best to protect his land, she was not in it for the power.

T’Challa’s son, T’Challa II a.k.a. Toussaint, was revealed in Haiti in Wakanda Forever. His existence was kept a secret by both T’Challa and Nakia to reduce the pressures of royalty on him. He has met his grandmother, Ramonda, and he is the true heir of Wakanda. The MCU does not just introduce a character like that without consequences, and we might see his true destiny soon in the franchise, with Black Panther 3 on the horizon.

Which MCU royal do you think is the biggest threat to Doctor Doom? Comment below.