List of regents

Last updated

Gustaf Mannerheim as regent of Finland (sitting) and his adjutants (from the left) Lt. Col. Lilius, Cap. Kekoni, Lt. Gallen-Kallela, Ensign Rosenbroijer. Mannerheim, Lilius, Kekoni, Gallen-Kallela, Rosenbroijer.jpg
Gustaf Mannerheim as regent of Finland (sitting) and his adjutants (from the left) Lt. Col. Lilius, Cap. Kekoni, Lt. Gallen-Kallela, Ensign Rosenbröijer.

A regent is a person selected to act as head of state (ruling or not) because the ruler is a minor, not present, or debilitated. [1] The following is a list of regents throughout history.

Contents

Regents in extant monarchies

Those who held a regency briefly, for example during surgery, are not necessarily listed, particularly if they performed no official acts; this list is also not complete, presumably not even for all monarchies included. The list includes some figures who acted as regent, even if they did not themselves hold the title of regent.

Asia

Cambodia

Japan

Jordan

  • Prince Naif bin Al-Abdullah from 20 July to 5 September 1951, due to the schizophrenia of his brother King Talal, who was in a Swiss mental hospital.
  • A regency council (Ibrahim Hashem, Suleiman Toukan, Abdul Rahman Rusheidat and chairing Queen Mother Zein al-Sharaf Talal) took over during the king's ailment and continued after the king's forced abdication (on 11 August 1952), serving from 4 June 1952 to 2 May 1953, until King Hussein came of age.
  • Crown Prince Hassan, from 4 July 1998 to 19 January 1999 while his brother King Hussein was undergoing cancer treatments.

Malaysia and its constitutive monarchies

Terengganu
  • Tengku Muhammad Ismail (eight-years of age at the time), co-reigned with the three-member Regency Advisory Council (Majlis Penasihat Pemangku Raja) from 2006 to 2011. His father, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin the Sultan of Terengganu was elected as 13th King of Malaysia. The Malaysian constitution does not allow a simultaneous reign as both the King of Malaysia and as monarch of the King's native state (deemed absent on the State throne). Sultan Mizan was crowned as King on 13 December 2006 and the prince as the Regent (Pemangku Raja) of Terengganu effective on the same date.

Oman

Qatar

Saudi Arabia

  • 30 March 1964 – 2 November 1964 Crown Prince Faisal (b. 1906 – d. 1975) –Regent for his brother King Saud, and later his successor
  • 1 January 1996 – 21 February 1996 formally, but de facto until 1 August 2005 Crown Prince Abdullah (b. 1924 – d. 2015) –Regent for his brother King Fahd, and later his successor

Thailand

Africa

Morocco

Lesotho

Swaziland

Europe

Belgium

Denmark

Liechtenstein

Luxembourg

Monaco

Netherlands

Norway

Spain

Sweden

Sten Sture the Elder, long-serving regent of Sweden Stein Gustavson (Sture).jpg
Sten Sture the Elder, long-serving regent of Sweden

United Kingdom and its predecessor realms

Kingdom of Great Britain
Kingdom of England
Kingdom of Scotland
House of Stewart

South America

Afro-Bolivian monarchy

Regents in defunct monarchies

The same notes apply; inclusion in this list reflects the political reality, regardless of claims to the throne.

Asia

China

Afghanistan

Before the 1881 unification, there were essentially four rulers' capitals: Kabul, Herat, Qandahar and Peshawar (the last now in Pakistan); all their rulers belonged to the Abdali tribal group, whose name was changed to Dorrani with Ahmad Shah Abdali. They belong either to the Saddozay segment of the Popalzay clan (typically styled padshah, king) or to the Mohammadzay segment of the Barakzay clan (typically with the style Amir, in full Amir al-Mo´menin "Leader of the Faithful"). The Mohammadzay also furnished the Saddozay kings frequently with top counselors, who served occasionally as (Minister-)regents, identified with the epithet Mohammadzay.

Ahom Kingdom

Madurai

Mughal Empire

Vijayanagara Empire

Qutub Shahi dynasty

Travancore

Both before and during the British raj (colonial rule), most of India was ruled by several hundred native princely houses, many of which have known regencies, under the raj subject to British approval

Vakataka Kingdom

Iran

Iraq

In the short-lived Hashemite kingdom, there were three regencies in the reign of the third and last king Faysal II (b. 1935 – d. 1958; also Head of the 'Arab Union', a federation with the Hashemite sister-kingdom Jordan, from 14 February 1958) :

  • 4 April 1939 – 1 April 1941 Prince 'Abd al-Ilah (1st time) (b. 1913 – d. 1958)
  • 1 April 1941 – 1 June 1941 Sharaf ibn Rajih al-Fawwaz (b. 1880 – d. 1955)
  • 1 June 1941 – 2 May 1953 Crown Prince 'Abd al-Ilah (2nd time)

Korea

Mongolia

Myanmar

Mysore

Nepal

Ryukyu

Tibetan Empire

Turkey

The regent Yariri (r.) and his successor Kamani (l.), on a relief from Carchemish. An example of regency from ancient history. Yariri and Kamani 1.JPG
The regent Yariri (r.) and his successor Kamani (l.), on a relief from Carchemish. An example of regency from ancient history.

Vietnam

Africa

Egypt

Ethiopia

Americas

Brazil

Princess Maria Leopoldina acting as regent of the Kingdom of Brazil on behalf of her husband Prince Pedro in 1822, as depicted in Sessao do Conselho de Estado Maria Leopoldina regent.jpg
Princess Maria Leopoldina acting as regent of the Kingdom of Brazil on behalf of her husband Prince Pedro in 1822, as depicted in Sessão do Conselho de Estado
The oath of the provisional triumviral regents of the Empire of Brazil in 1831, during the regency period. Juramento da Regencia Trina.jpg
The oath of the provisional triumviral regents of the Empire of Brazil in 1831, during the regency period.
Isabel, Princess Imperial taking oath as regent of the Empire of Brazil on behalf of her father Pedro II, c. 1870 Juramento Isabel.jpg
Isabel, Princess Imperial taking oath as regent of the Empire of Brazil on behalf of her father Pedro II, c. 1870

Europe

Austria

Bulgaria

Finland

After the abdication of Nicholas II of Russia, the throne of the Grand Duke of Finland was vacant and according to the constitution of 1772, a regent was installed by the Finnish Parliament during the first two years of Finnish independence, before the country was declared a republic.

France

Greece

German Empire

Anhalt
Baden
Bavaria
Brunswick
Hanover
Hesse-Darmstadt
Hesse-Homburg
Hesse-Kassel
Lippe
Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Mecklenburg-Strelitz
Prussia
Württemberg
Saxe-Altenburg
Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg
Saxe-Eisenach
Saxe-Hildburghausen
Saxe-Jena
Saxe-Meiningen
Saxe-Merseburg
Saxe-Weimar
Saxony
Waldeck

Hungary

Iceland

Italy

Mantua
Parma
Savoy

Kievan Rus'

Portugal

Romania

Russia

Serbia

Serbian regents abroad

Yugoslavia

Oceania

Hawaii

  • Queen Kaʻahumanu, between 1824 and 1832 during the rule of the infant Kamehameha III; she was also Kuhina Nui (co-ruler), regent, of Kamehameha II
  • Elizabeth Kīnaʻu, between 5 June 1832 – 17 March 1833 after Kaʻahumanu's death and before Kamehameha III became 20 years old [9]

Notes

  1. The Oxford English Dictionary defines the term as "A person appointed to administer a State because the Monarch is a minor, is absent or is incapacitated."
  2. "Kronprins Christian skal være regent for første gang – TV 2". nyheder.tv2.dk (in Danish). 30 January 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  3. "Kronprins Christian bliver for første gang regent | Nyheder". DR (in Danish). 30 January 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  4. 1 2 Pryde, E. B., ed. (1996). Handbook of British Chronology. Cambridge University Press. pp. 45–46. ISBN   978-0-521-56350-5.
  5. Barlow, Frank 2002. The Godwins Harlow: Pearson Education Limited. Pages 27-28.
  6. Mason, Emma 2004. The House of Godwine : The History of a Dynasty London: Hambledon and London. Page 33.
  7. Trevor Bryce: The World of the Neo-Hittite Kingdoms: A Political and Military History. Oxford, New York 2012, p. 95.
  8. Shaw, Ian (2000). The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt. Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 291.
  9. "Kuhina Nui 1819–1864". Centennial Exhibit. State of Hawaii Department of Accounting and General Services. Retrieved 3 October 2009.

Related Research Articles

The 1380s was a decade of the Julian Calendar which began on January 1, 1380, and ended on December 31, 1389.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prince regent</span> Prince who rules in place of a monarch due to incapacity or absence

A prince regent or princess regent is a prince or princess who, due to their position in the line of succession, rules a monarchy as regent in the stead of a monarch, e.g., as a result of the sovereign's incapacity or absence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">House of Valois</span> Cadet branch of the Capetian dynasty

The Capetian House of Valois was a cadet branch of the Capetian dynasty. They succeeded the House of Capet to the French throne, and were the royal house of France from 1328 to 1589. Junior members of the family founded cadet branches in Orléans, Anjou, Burgundy, and Alençon.

An heir presumptive is the person entitled to inherit a throne, peerage, or other hereditary honour, but whose position can be displaced by the birth of a person with a better claim to the position in question. This is in contrast to an heir apparent, whose claim on the position cannot be displaced in this manner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amalie of Solms-Braunfels</span> Princess consort of Orange (1602–1675)

Amalia of Solms-Braunfels was Princess of Orange by marriage to Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange. She acted as the political adviser of her spouse during his reign, and acted as his de facto deputy and regent during his infirmity from 1640 to 1647. She also served as chair of the regency council during the minority of her grandson William III, Prince of Orange from 1650 until 1672.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">House of Braganza</span> Portuguese dynasty

The Most Serene House of Braganza, also known as the Brigantine dynasty, is a dynasty of emperors, kings, princes, and dukes of Portuguese origin which reigned in Europe and the Americas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pretender</span> Someone who claims to be rightful holder of a throne that is vacant or held by another

A pretender is someone who claims to be the rightful ruler of a country although not recognized as such by the current government. The term may often be used to either refer to a descendant of a deposed monarchy or a claim that is not legitimate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Counsellor of State</span> Proxies performing royal functions for the British monarch

Counsellors of State are senior members of the British royal family to whom the monarch can delegate royal functions through letters patent under the Great Seal, to prevent delay or difficulty in the dispatch of public business in the case of their illness or of their intended or actual absence from the United Kingdom.

A coregency is the situation where a monarchical position, normally held by only a single person, is held by two or more. It is to be distinguished from diarchies or duumvirates, and also from regencies where a single monarch has a seniority above a regent but exercises no power except legally holding the position of head of state.

The Regency Acts are Acts of the Parliament of the United Kingdom passed at various times, to provide a regent in the event of the reigning monarch being incapacitated or a minor. Prior to 1937, Regency Acts were passed only when necessary to deal with a specific situation. In 1937, the Regency Act 1937 made general provision for a regent, and established the office of Counsellor of State, a number of whom would act on the monarch's behalf when the monarch was temporarily absent from the realm or experiencing an illness that did not amount to legal incapacity. This Act, as modified by the Regency Acts of 1943 and 1953, forms the main law relating to regency in the United Kingdom today.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luitpold, Prince Regent of Bavaria</span> Regent of Bavaria from 1886 to 1912

Luitpold Karl Joseph Wilhelm Ludwig, Prince Regent of Bavaria, was the de facto ruler of Bavaria from 1886 to 1912, as regent for his nephews, King Ludwig II and King Otto. His regency arose due to his nephews' mental incapacity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">House of Capet</span> Royal house of France from 987 to 1328

The House of Capet ruled the Kingdom of France from 987 to 1328. It was the most senior line of the Capetian dynasty – itself a derivative dynasty from the Robertians and the Karlings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anhalt-Köthen</span> Holy Roman principality

Anhalt-Köthen was a principality of the Holy Roman Empire ruled by the House of Ascania. It was created in 1396 when the Principality of Anhalt-Zerbst was partitioned between Anhalt-Dessau and Anhalt-Köthen. The first creation lasted until 1562, when it fell to Prince Joachim Ernest of Anhalt-Zerbst, who merged it into the reunited Principality of Anhalt.

The terms minority reign and royal minority refer to the period of a sovereign's rule when he or she is legally a minor. Minority reigns are of their nature times when politicians and advisors can be especially competitive. Some scholars claim that, in Britain, primogeniture, the growth of conciliar government, and the emergence of the Parliament as a representative and administrative force all occurred within the context of the minority reigns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Duchess Helene of Mecklenburg-Schwerin</span> Duchess of Orléans

Duchess Helene of Mecklenburg-Schwerin was a French Crown Princess after her marriage in 1837 to the eldest son of Louis Philippe I. She is known as the mother of the future Count of Paris and Duke of Chartres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Countess Henriette Catharina of Nassau</span> Princess consort of Anhalt-Dessau

Henriette Catherine of Nassau was princess consort of Anhalt-Dessau by marriage to John George II, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau, and regent of Anhalt-Dessau from 1693 to 1698 during the minority of her son Leopold I, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Princess Anne Charlotte of Lorraine</span> Abbess of Remiremont, Mons and Essen

Anne Charlotte of Lorraine was the Abbess of Remiremont and Mons. She was the thirteenth of fourteen children of Leopold, Duke of Lorraine, and his spouse Élisabeth Charlotte d'Orléans. Her mother was the niece of Louis XIV of France and sister of Philippe II, Duke of Orléans and Regent of France during the minority of Louis XV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Catherine Elisabeth of Brunswick</span>

Catherine Elisabeth of Brunswick-Lüneburg was Duchess consort of Schleswig and Countess consort of Holstein-Rendsburg. She was the regent of some of the fiefs of her son Henry during his minority from 1404 to 1415.