Prince regent

A prince regent or princess regent is a prince or princess who helps to rule a country when the real monarch, such as a king or queen, cannot. This can happen for several reasons. The monarch might be too young to rule, might be sick or hurt, or might be far away, like during a long trip or exile.

The word "regent" means someone who takes the place of the monarch and makes decisions for them until they can rule again. Throughout history, many princes and princesses have become regents in different countries, especially in Europe. They help keep the government running and make important choices to protect and guide the people until the true monarch is ready or able to lead once more.

Sometimes, the term "prince regent" is used in a more general way to talk about any prince or princess doing this job. But it is most famous for certain important rulers in European history who played big roles in their countries during difficult times.

Prince Regent of the United Kingdom

Further information: Regency Acts

The title Prince Regent is most well-known for George IV of the United Kingdom and Hanover. He used the title His Royal Highness The Prince Regent from 1811 to 1820. This was because his father, George III, was not able to rule due to health issues.

During this time, George IV was able to act as the king, even though there were some limits at first. He remained regent until his father passed away in 1820, after which he became king himself as George IV.

Many places in London, like Regent's Park, Regent Street, and Regent's Canal, were built and named to honor him. The architect John Nash created a beautiful area with homes and gardens around the park, all under George IV's support.

Prince regent in Germany

In Germany, the title Prinzregent is most known for Luitpold, Prince Regent of Bavaria. He served as regent from 1886 to 1912 after his nephew Ludwig II of Bavaria could no longer rule. After Ludwig II’s passing, Luitpold continued to help for another nephew, Otto, who also could not rule. This time in Bavaria is called the Prinzregentenjahre or the Prinzregentenzeit. It was a time of growing art and culture, especially in Munich. Many places, like Prinzregentenstraße and the Prinzregententheater in Munich, were named after him. Even a special cake, the Prinzregententorte, was named in his honor.

When Luitpold passed away in 1912, his son Prince Ludwig took over as regent. In 1913, the rules were changed so that the regent could become king after Otto could still not rule. Ludwig then became Ludwig III.

Prince regent in Belgium

Belgium’s first leader after it became independent from the United Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1830 was Baron Érasme-Louis Surlet de Chokier. He served as regent from February to July 1831 until King Leopold I could begin his rule.

Later, Prince Charles, Count of Flanders served as prince regent from 1944 to 1950. This was while his brother, King Leopold III, was held by German forces during the Second World War. After the war, there was much debate about whether Leopold III should return to his duties as king. In 1950, Belgium held a vote, and though the king returned, disagreements continued. Eventually, Leopold handed over his duties to his son, Prince Baudouin, Duke of Brabant, who became prince regent before becoming King of the Belgians on 17 July 1951.

Prince regent in Bulgaria

After Tsar Boris III passed away in 1943, his young son Simeon II, who was only six years old, became the new tsar. Because he was too young to rule on his own, three people were chosen to help him govern until he grew up.

Later, in 1944, the Soviet Union went to war with Bulgaria, and their army entered the country. Not long after, a new government took over. In 1945, the three people who had been helping the young tsar were tried and faced serious consequences, along with many others who had worked closely with the previous government.

Lieutenant-representative in Luxembourg

In Luxembourg, the person next in line to become the grand duke or grand duchess can be named a lieutenant-representative. This means they help with important duties while the current grand duke or duchess stays in charge.

This has happened a few times:

• Hereditary Grand Duke Jean became prince-lieutenant on 4 May 1961 and helped during the last years of his mother, Grand Duchess Charlotte, until she stepped down on 12 November 1964. Then he became Grand Duke.
• Hereditary Grand Duke Henri was named prince-lieutenant on 4 March 1998 and took care of duties until his father, Grand Duke Jean, stepped down on 7 October 2000. After that, Henri became Grand Duke.
• Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume was appointed prince-lieutenant on 8 October 2024 and led until his father, Grand Duke Henri, stepped down on 3 October 2025. Then Guillaume became Grand Duke.

Prince regent in Liechtenstein

In Liechtenstein, the ruling prince can choose their heir to be a regent. This means the heir takes on the prince's duties, like approving laws and representing the country.

This has happened several times. In 1938, Prince Franz chose his grandnephew, Franz Joseph, to be regent. In 1984, Franz Joseph II made his son, Hans-Adam, the regent. Most recently, in 2004, Hans-Adam II let his son, Alois, serve as regent while he stays the head of state.

Other notable princes and princesses regent

More prince-regents (often without such specific title) are to be found in List of regents.

• Duke of Zhou Dan served as prince regent for his nephew King Cheng of Zhou until the latter came of age.
• Tiberius Constantine served as regent for his mentally incapacitated adoptive father Justin II whilst holding the rank of Caesar (574–578).
• Philippe II, Duke of Orléans was Regent of France from the death of Louis XIV in 1715 until Louis XV came of age in 1723; this is also used as a period label for many aspects of French history, as "Régence" in French.
• Te Wherowhero Tawhiao, younger brother of Māori King Mahuta Tāwhiao, served as Whirinaki-a-te-Kiingi (Prince Regent) for his brother from 1903 to 1910. This was because Mahuta Tāwhiao spent this period of his reign as a member of the Legislative Council.
• Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark served as regent from 1784 to 1808 for his father, King Christian VII of Denmark, who was insane.
• Prince William of Prussia served as regent from 1858 to 1861 for his older brother King Frederick William IV of Prussia, who had become mentally unfit to rule.
• Prince Dorgon of the early Qing dynasty served as regent for his nephew, the Shunzhi Emperor, from 1643 to 1650, because the latter was only six at the time of his ascension. Dorgon was instrumental in moving Manchu forces into Beijing in 1644, proclaiming the Qing dynasty to be the legitimate successor to the Ming dynasty. In Qing dynasty historical records, Dorgon was the first to be referred to as Shezhengwang (摄政王; "Prince regent").
• Rameses the Great
• Prince Chun of the late Qing dynasty served as regent from 1908 to 1911 for his son Puyi, the Xuantong Emperor. Apart from Dorgon, Zaifeng was the only person in Chinese history who was specifically referred to as prince regent.
• Crown Prince Hirohito served as regent from 1921 to 1926 for his ailing father, Emperor Taishō.
• Prince Paul of Yugoslavia from 1934 to 1941, known in Serbian as Његово Краљевско Височанство, Кнез Намесник (English: His Royal Highness The Prince Regent) served as regent for his first cousin once removed, King Peter II who was a minor.
• John, Prince of Brazil (1767–1826) served as regent of Portugal for his mother Queen Maria I, who had become mentally unfit to rule, from 1799 to 1816. His regency was associated with the transfer of the Portuguese court to Brazil.
• Princess Erelu Kuti of Lagos, a Yoruba chieftess of the eighteenth century who served as queen mother of a line of tribal kings. The successors to the noble title that now shares her name have all subsequently served as regent of Lagos following the death of a reigning oba. Princesses are traditionally called upon to serve as regents in this fashion in most of the other kingdoms of Yorubaland as well. In Akure, for example, the eldest daughter of a recently deceased king ruled in his stead until a substantive successor to the royal title was chosen by the college of noble kingmakers, a period that lasted for an unusually long six years due to a succession crisis in the state.
• Chief Tshekedi Khama of the Bamangwato, a Tswana prince who served as regent during the reign of his famous nephew, Sir Seretse Khama.
• Anne of France served as regent of France for her younger brother between 1483-1491.
• Sophia Alekseyevna from 1682-1689 as regent of Russia on behalf of her younger brothers.
• Aurora Pinedo served as Princess Regent of the Afro-Bolivian monarchy from 1954-1992.
• Prince Nicholas of Romania served as a prince regent between 1927 and 1930 for his minor nephew, King Michael I of Romania. Nicholas' brother, King Carol II of Romania, had refused the throne of Romania since 1925, but in 1930, he came back, dethroning his own son.