Monarchy

A monarchy is a hereditary form of government where power is passed to family members of the monarch, who rules for life. Monarchs may gain power through specific rules of succession or sometimes by election.

Historically, monarchies have been very common. At the start of the 19th century, nearly half of all independent states were monarchies. However, their number has slowly decreased over time, especially after World War I and World War II, when many were replaced by republics replaced many monarchies.

There are mainly two types of monarchy: absolute and constitutional. In absolute monarchies, which are rare today, the ruler has full control similar to an autocracy. Most modern monarchies are constitutional monarchies, where the monarch has limited or ceremonial duties under a constitution, much like the head of state in a parliamentary republic.

As of 2025^[update], forty-three sovereign nations still have a monarch. This includes fifteen Commonwealth realms that share King Charles III as their head of state. Besides national monarchies, there are also various smaller sub-national monarchical entities.

Etymology

The word monarch first appeared in English in the mid-15th century. It means a ruler who governs for life with supreme power. The term comes from Old French and Latin words, all meaning "one who rules alone."

Further information: King (title), Rex (title), and Realm

History

Long ago, some groups of people had leaders called chiefs. These chiefs helped form early states, like in places such as Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, and the Indus Valley civilization. Over time, some of these chiefdoms turned into monarchies. Two of the oldest known monarchies were in Ancient Egypt around 3100 BCE and in Sumer around 2600 BCE.

Monarchs have often been chosen in different ways. Some were born into royal families, while others were elected. In many early cultures, the monarch was seen as very important, sometimes even connected to gods. One famous thinker, Polybius, described monarchy as one of the best ways to govern, along with aristocracy and democracy.

Monarchies have changed a lot over time. In some places, like Rome and Athens, people decided to stop having monarchs and tried new ways of governing. In later years, many countries changed from monarchies to republics, especially after big events like the American Revolution and the French Revolution.

Today, about forty-three countries still have monarchs. In many of these, the monarch is more of a symbol and does not make big decisions. But in some countries, the monarch still has a lot of power.

Characteristics and role

Monarchies are a type of government where the ruler, called a monarch, reigns for life and the power passes to a family member when the monarch passes away. Most monarchs grow up in a royal family and are prepared for their future role. Some monarchies use different rules to decide who becomes the next monarch, such as being the closest family member or the firstborn child.

Some monarchies are not hereditary. In an elective monarchy, a group chooses the monarch, either for life or for a set period. Examples of elective monarchies today include Cambodia, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, and the papacy.

Powers of the monarch

In an absolute monarchy, the monarch has full control over the country. In a constitutional monarchy, the monarch's power is limited by laws, and often the monarch serves mainly as a symbol of the nation. Semi-constitutional monarchies are a mix, where the monarch has more authority than in a full constitutional monarchy.

Succession

Hereditary monarchies

In a hereditary monarchy, the role of monarch is passed down within a royal family following specific rules. Usually, the next monarch is known ahead of time to ensure a smooth transition. The most common way this happens is through primogeniture, where the oldest child becomes the next monarch.

Historically, only males could inherit the throne, but many countries have changed this. For example, Sweden was the first to allow both boys and girls to inherit equally in 1980. Other countries like the Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, and the United Kingdom have also adopted this fair rule.

Elective monarchies

In an elective monarchy, leaders are chosen by a small group of people rather than inheriting the role. These leaders then rule just like other monarchs. Examples include the Holy Roman Emperors, chosen by special leaders, and kings in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. Some places still use this today, like Malaysia, where leaders are elected from local rulers for a five-year term.

Usurpation

Monarchs have sometimes taken power by force or trickery, claiming they were related to past rulers even when they were not. This is called usurpation and has happened in history, such as when someone pretended to be a royal family member to take control.

Other ways of succession

Monarchs often show they are the rightful leader through special ceremonies, symbols, or documents. This helps confirm their power, especially when there are disputes about who should rule next.

Succession crisis

When there are disputes about who should be the next monarch, some people try to prove they are the rightful leader using special items, agreements, or even claims of divine right to rule.

Current monarchies

Main article: List of current monarchs of sovereign states

There are many countries today that have a monarch as their head of state. These countries can be grouped into several types.

In some countries, called Commonwealth realms, the same person is the monarch. For example, King Charles III is the monarch of fifteen different countries, including Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. These countries were once part of the British Empire but are now independent nations.

Other countries have monarchies where the monarch has a limited or ceremonial role. This includes places like Belgium, Denmark, and Spain. In some of these countries, the monarch shares power with another leader. For example, in Andorra, there are two co-princes: the president of France and the bishop of Urgell.

In parts of Asia and the Middle East, monarchies often have more power. Countries like Saudi Arabia and Brunei have monarchs who hold significant authority. Others, such as Japan and Thailand, have monarchs with more limited roles.

Some countries have unique arrangements. In Eswatini, the monarch rules alongside another leader, the Ndlovukati. In the Vatican City State, the Pope serves as the monarch.