Popular monarchy

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Popular Monarchy is a system of monarchical governance in which the monarch's title is linked with the people rather than a unitary state. It was the norm in some places (such as Scotland) from the Middle Ages, and was occasionally used in 19th- and 20th-century Europe, often reflecting the results of a popular revolution.

1 Examples
2 In contrast
3 Popular monarchy in fiction
4 See also

[edit] Examples

From the Middle Ages, Scottish kings such as Robert the Bruce were known as King of Scots, not as Kings of Scotland (see also Mary, Queen of Scots). An example of this case is found in the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320 saying (in rather rhetorical language) that the King of Scots ruled on behalf of the people rather than actually ruling the people and that the independence of Scotland was the prerogative of the Scots people, rather than the King of Scots. This usage became less common after James VI of Scots inherited the throne of England, and called himself King of Great Britain. The Act of Union 1707 abolished the Scottish throne as an independent entity.
Belgian monarchs are called King of the Belgians, not King of Belgium, and have been since the nation's independence in 1830. This is the only example of popular monarchy that remains in operation today.
King Louis XVI, having previously reigned as King of France, reigned as King of the French from 1791 to 1792. This was under the terms of the 1791 Constitution of France, during a brief period of constitutional monarchy that was ended by the monarchy's abolition.
Napoleon I (Napoleon Bonaparte) reigned as "Emperor of the French," rather than "Emperor of France."
The last French king, Louis-Philippe of France was proclaimed King of the French in 1830, reflecting the fact that he took power by means of a popular revolution against the King of France, his immediate predecessor King Charles X.
Greek monarchs from George I were formally known as Kings of the Hellenes, not Kings of Greece, from 1863 to the monarchy's abolition in 1967.
Zog I, monarch of Albania from 1928 to 1943, used the style King of the Albanians, rather than King of Albania
From 1918 until 1929, the monarch of what would become Yugoslavia was known as King of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. In 1929, Alexandar Karađorđević was proclaimed King of Yugoslavia.
Romanian Monarchs from 1881 until 1947 were known as King of the Romanians, rather than King of Romania.
Kaiser Wilhelm I was German Emperor, not Emperor of Germany.

[edit] In contrast

Queen Elizabeth II is Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland not Queen of the Britons.
Queen Margrethe II is Queen of Denmark, not Queen of the Danes.
King Juan Carlos is King of Spain not King of the Spanish.
Queen Beatrix is Queen of the Netherlands not Queen of the Dutch.