kids encyclopedia robot

List of female monarchs facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
  • Top left: Elizabeth II is the longest-reigning female monarch, reigning as Queen of the United Kingdom for 70 years.
  • Top right: Queen Victoria was Queen of the United Kingdom for 63 years; the longest at the time.
  • Bottom left: Wilhelmina, Queen of the Netherlands (1890 – 1948), is the longest-reigning female monarch outside the United Kingdom.
  • Bottom right: Margrethe II was Queen of Denmark from 1972 until her abdication in 2024, and is the most recent female sovereign.

This is a list of current and former female monarchs regardless of title, including queens regnant, empresses regnant, pharaohs and monarchs by other titles (grand duchess, princess, etc.). Consorts, such queens consort (i.e. spouses of male monarchs) are not included, see list of current consorts of sovereigns. Female regents are not included, see list of regents.

The following is an incomplete list of women monarchs who are well known from popular writings, although many ancient and poorly documented ruling monarchs (such as those from Africa and Oceania) are omitted. Section 1 lists monarchs who ruled in their own right, such as queens regnant. Section 2 lists legendary monarchs. Section 3 lists constituent monarchs: monarchs who ruled in their own right, but had no constitutional standing or regal powers while in power. Section 4 lists various female rulers who were referred to with the title "Chieftainess." Regents, such as queens regents, are not monarchs and are not included in this page. Pretenders to thrones are also not included in this page.

Contents

Monarchs

Africa

North Africa

Algeria

Hoggar Mountains

Monarch Portrait Reign dates Length
Tin Hinan 2 - La reine Tin Hinan, 125x150cm, huile sur toile.jpg 4th century AD Unknown

Kingdom of the Aurès

Monarch Portrait Reign dates Length
Dihya Statue of Dyhia in Khenchela (Algeria).jpg c. 668–703 AD c. 35 years
Canary Islands

The Canary Islands are Spanish territories of North Africa.

Peraza family

Monarch Portrait Title Reign dates Length
Inés Peraza Queen 1452–1477 25 years

Kingdom of the Canary Islands
The title of "King/Queen of the Canary Islands" was included in the list of titles and honours of the Spanish Crown.

Monarch Portrait Reign dates Length
Isabella I of Castile IsabellaofCastile03.jpg 4 September 1479–26 November 1504 25 years, 2 months, 22 days
Joanna of Castile Juan de Flandes 003.jpg 26 November 1504–12 April 1555 51 years, 7 months, 14 days
Isabella II of Spain Isabel de Borbón y Borbón-Dos Sicilias.jpg 29 September 1833–30 September 1868 35 years, 1 day
Egypt

Pharaonic Egypt
The first verified female monarch of Egypt is Sobekneferu of the Twelfth dynasty. However, queens from earlier periods such as Neithhotep, Merneith and Khentkaus I held powerful positions and may have ruled Egypt in their own right, but the archaeological evidence is ambiguous.

Monarch Portrait Reign dates Length
Sobekneferu Statue of Sobekneferu (Berlin Egyptian Museum 14475).jpg Mid-18th century BC 3 years, 10 months and 24 days
Hatshepsut Seated Statue of Hatshepsut MET Hatshepsut2012.jpg c. 1479–1458 BC c. 21 years
Neferneferuaten Amarna Neues 05.JPG c. 1334–1332 BC c. 3 years
Twosret Queen Tausret Émile Prisse d'Avennes.jpg 1191–1189 BC 2 years

Ptolemaic dynasty
Ptolemy II instituted a new practice of brother-sister marriage when he married his full sister, Arsinoe II. They became, in effect, co-rulers, and both took the epithet Philadelphus ("Brother-Loving" and "Sister-Loving"). Because of this custom many of the kings ruled jointly with their spouses, who were also of the royal house. The only Ptolemaic Queens who ruled alone were Cleopatra II, Berenice III and Berenice IV. Cleopatra VI did co-rule, but it was with another female, Berenice IV. Cleopatra VII officially co-ruled with Ptolemy XIII Theos Philopator, Ptolemy XIV, and Ptolemy XV, but effectively, she ruled Egypt alone.

Monarch Portrait Reign dates Length Co-ruler(s)
Arsinoe II ArsinoeII.jpg 273/272–270/268 BC 2 to 5 years Ptolemy II
Berenice II Egitto tolemaico, berenice II, octodracma di efeso, 246-222 ac ca.JPG 246–222 BC 23 years Ptolemy III
Arsinoe III Dinastia tolemaica, arsinoe III, octodracma, 204-203 ac ca.JPG 220–204 BC 16 years Ptolemy IV
Cleopatra I Ptolemaios SS 8061 Av.JPG 193–176 BC 17 years Ptolemy V
Ptolemy VI
Cleopatra II Lagid queen Isis Ma3546.jpg c. 175–164 BC
163–127 BC
124–115 BC
c. 54 years Ptolemy VI
Ptolemy VIII
Cleopatra III
Ptolemy IX
Cleopatra III c. 141–130 BC
c. 127–101 BC
c. 37 years Ptolemy VIII
Cleopatra II
Ptolemy IX
Cleopatra IV
Ptolemy X
Cleopatra IV 116–115 BC 1 year Cleopatra III
Ptolemy IX
Berenice III Berenice III.jpg 101–88 BC
81–80 BC
14 years Ptolemy X
Ptolemy XI
Cleopatra V Ra80-HDD-b.jpg 79–69 BC 10 years Ptolemy XII
Cleopatra VI 58–57 BC 1 year Berenice IV
Berenice IV 58–55 BC 3 years Cleopatra VI
Cleopatra VII Berlín Cleopatra 03.JPG 52–30 BC 22 years Ptolemy XII
Ptolemy XIII
Ptolemy XIV
Ptolemy XV
Arsinoe IV October 48–January 47 BC 3 months Ptolemy XIII

Roman Egypt
Zenobia took Roman Egypt by Palmyrene invasion and was declared Queen of Egypt.

Monarch Portrait Reign dates Length
Zenobia Zenobia obverse.png October 270–June 272 1 year and 9 months

Bahri Mamluk dynasty

Monarch Portrait Reign dates Length
Shajar al-Durr شجر الدر عصمة الدين خاتون.jpg 2 May–30 July 1250 90 days
Libya

Cyrenaica

Monarch Portrait Reign dates Length
Berenice II Egitto tolemaico, berenice II, octodracma di efeso, 246-222 ac ca.JPG 258–246 BC 12 years
Cleopatra Selene II Cleopatra Selene II bust, Cherchell, Algeria 4.jpg 34–30 BC 4 years
Sudan

Egyptian Empire

Monarch Portrait Reign dates Length
Hatshepsut Seated Statue of Hatshepsut MET Hatshepsut2012.jpg c. 1479–1458 BC c. 21 years
Neferneferuaten Amarna Neues 05.JPG c. 1334–1332 BC c. 2 years
Twosret Twosret.jpg 1191–1189 BC 2 years

Kingdom of Kush

Kandake was a title for queens, queen mothers, and queens consort in Nubia, but ruling kandakes included:

Monarch Portrait Reign dates
Nahirqo Shanakdakheto portret.jpg Mid-2nd century BC
Unknown kandake End of 2nd–first half of 1st century BC
Amanirenas Bar 4 Kush queen (Lepsius).jpg End of 1st century BC–Beginning of 1st century AD
Amanishakheto Osiris and the Egyptian resurrection 1911 cropped.jpg Early 1st century AD
Shanakdakhete First half of the 1st century AD
Nawidemak Nawidemak (Lepsius, crop).jpg
Amanitore Amanitore bust.jpg Mid-1st century AD
Amanikhatashan Amanikhatashan.jpg Mid-2nd century AD
Amanikhalika Amanikhalika (Lepsius).jpg Second half of the 2nd century AD
Patrapeamani [de] First half of the 4th century AD
Amanipilade Amanipilade (crop).png Mid-4th century AD

Dotawo

Monarch Portrait Reign dates Length
Gaua c. 1520–1526 c. 6 years

West Africa

Benin

Hogbonu

Monarch Portrait Reign dates Length
Hude 1746–1752 6 years
The Gambia
  • Elizabeth II, Queen of the Gambia (reigned 1965–1970)
Ghana
  • Elizabeth II, Queen of Ghana (reigned 1957–1960)

Akan state of Denkyira

  • Amoako Atta Yiadom (reigned 1770–1793), Denkyirahene

Akan state of Dwaben

  • Ama Serwah (reigned 1838–1846), Dwabenhene
  • Unknown Dwabenhene (reigned 1846-18??)
  • Nana Juaben Serwah II (reigned 1959–19??), Dwabenhene

Akan state of Akyem Abuakwa

  • Nana Afia Dokuaa (reigned 1817–1835)
Guinea-Bissau

Orango

  • Aurelia Correia (reigned 1830–1874/1879)
  • Okinka Pampa Kanyimpa (reigned (Catalan)–1930) – Succeeded her father Bankajapa.

Roxa

  • Juliana of Canhabaque (reigned in the early 1900s)
  • Idiana Ibop (reigned until the 1920s)
Côte d'Ivoire

Baoule

  • Pokou (reigned (Catalan)) – Queen and founder of the Baoule tribe.
  • Akwa Boni (reigned (Catalan)) – Pokou's niece who succeeded her to the throne.
Liberia
  • Famata Bendu, queen of the Vai people (reigned ?–1892)
Mali

Mali Empire

  • Kassi (reigned ?–1352/1353), co-ruler with Mansa Sulayman
Nigeria
  • Elizabeth II, Queen of Nigeria (reigned 1960–1963)

Bornu Empire

Daura

The title "Kabara" was used by female monarchs who ruled over the Hausa people in the Middle Ages. A line of matriarchal monarchs is recorded in the Kano Chronicle that ends with the reign of Daurama in the 9th century. These queens reigned from (Catalan) to (Catalan).

  • Kufuru
  • Ginu
  • Yakumo
  • Yakunya
  • Wanzamu
  • Yanbamu
  • Gizir-gizir
  • Inna-Gari
  • Daurama
  • Ga-Wata
  • Shata
  • Fatatuma
  • Sai-Da-Mata
  • Ja-Mata
  • Ha-Mata
  • Zama
  • Sha-Wata
  • Daurama II

Igodomigodo

  • Emose (reigned 584–600)
  • Orrorro (reigned 600–618)

Ondo Kingdom

Zazzau

  • Amina – There is controversy among scholars as to the date of her reign, one school placing her in the mid-15th century, and a second placing her reign in the mid to late 16th century.

Yoruba people

Oyo Empire

  • Orompoto (reigned (Catalan)–1575) – Succeeded her brother Eguguojo to the throne.
Senegal

Lingeer's leadership activities were carried out at the highest tier, as a co-monarch.

Sierra Leone
  • Elizabeth II, Queen of Sierra Leone (reigned 1961–1971)

Koya Temne

  • Fatima (reigned 1826–1840)

Kpa Mende

  • Madam Yoko (reigned 1878–1906)

Central Africa

Angola

Jaga

Matamba

Ann Zingha
Nzinga, warrior queen of Ndongo and Matamba

Mbunda Kingdom

  • Vamwene Naama
  • Vamwene Yamvu
  • Vamwene Mbaao ya Chinguli (reigned in the 1500s–early 1600s)
  • Vamwene Kaamba ka Mbaao
  • Vamwene Mukenge wa Lweembe, Livindamo

Ndongo

  • Ana de Sousa Nzinga Mbande (reigned 1624–1626 and 1657–1663)
  • Mukambu Mbandi (reigned 1663–1671)

Kingdom of Jinga

Kingdom of kongo

There were two female monarchs during Kongo Civil War.

Cameroon
  • Soukda, founder of Mandara Kingdom (reigned (Catalan))
  • Ngoungoure, queen of Bamum (reigned 1865) – her rule lasted 30 minutes

East Africa

Comoros

Ndzuwani (Anjouan)

  • Alimah I (reigned during the 16th century – unknown start date, reign ended (Catalan))
  • Alimah II (reigned (Catalan))
  • Alimah III (reigned (Catalan))
  • Alimah IV (reigned 1788–1792) – she was the de facto ruler of Anjouan with sultan Abdallah I during his reigns in 1782–1788 and 1792–1796.

Bambao

  • Nyau wa Faume

Itsandra

  • Fey Beja waWabeja, Mfalme

Bajini

  • Ja Mhaba, Mfalme
  • Hadija bint Ahmed, Mfalme

Mwali

  • Raketaka Jombe Sudy (reigned 1842–1865 and 1874–1878) – she also ruled as regent twice, 1865–1868 and 1871–1874. After 1851 she took the name of Jumbe Fatima bint Abderremane
  • Salima Machamba bint Saidi Hamadi Makadara (reigned 1888–1909)
Ethiopia empress zauditu
Zewditu I, Empress of Ethiopia
Ethiopia
  • Zewditu (reigned 1916–1930) – Daughter of Menelik II. She ascended to the throne after her nephew Iyasu V was deposed.
Kenya
  • Elizabeth II, Queen of Kenya (reigned 1963–1964)

Names taken from Female Rule in the Indian Ocean World (1300–1900).

  • Mwana Masuru
  • Maryamu
  • Mwana Mkisi
  • Mwana Inali
  • Mwana Darini binti Bwana Mkuu bin Abubakar
  • Asha binti Muhammad
  • Mwanai Mimi
  • Mwana Khadija binti Omari
Madagascar
  • Rangita (reigned 1520–1530) – Daughter of king Rafandramanenitra.
  • Rafohy (reigned 1530–1540) – Daughter of queen Rangita.
  • Ranavalona I (reigned 1828–1861) – Wife of Radama I.
  • Rasoherina (reigned 1863–1868) – Wife of Radama II.
  • Ranavalona II (reigned 1868–1883) – Wife of Radama II and cousin of Rasoherina.
  • Ranavalona III (reigned 1883–1897) – Niece of Ranavalona II.

The female monarchs of Madagascar traditional states were:

Ambohidratrimo

  • Ramananandrianjaka Rambolamasoandro
  • Rabehety

Boina Kingdom

  • Andrianaginarivo (reigned 1777–1778)
  • Tombola (reigned 1778)
  • Ravahiny (reigned 1778–1808)
  • Oantitsy (reigned 1832–1836)
  • Tsiomeko (reigned 1836–1840)

Menabe

  • Bibiasa

Bemihisatra

  • Safy Mozongo (reigned 1869–1881) – she was the mother of Binao.
  • Binao (reigned 1881–1927)

Bemazava

  • Irana Andriamamelonarivo
  • Tsiresy I Andriamanomponarivo
  • Tsiresy II Nenimoana

Antankarana

  • Ambary of Antankarana
  • Soanaomby

Imarovatana

  • Ramanandrianjaka II Ravorombato

Betsimisaraka

Mauritius
  • Elizabeth II, Queen of Mauritius (reigned 1968–1992)
Mozambique

Angoche Sultanate

  • Queen of Angoche, name unknown (reigned (Catalan))
Somaliland

Sultanate of Ifat

South Sudan

Shilluk Kingdom

  • Abudok [fr], the eighth ruler (and only queen) of the Shilluk.
Tanzania
  • Elizabeth II, Queen of Tanganyika (reigned 1961–1962)
  • Therese Ntare VI of Heru

Names taken from Female Rule in the Indian Ocean World (1300–1900).

  • Mwana Aziz
  • Mwana Miveni
  • Mwana Aisha
  • Mwana Fatuma binti Darhash
  • Mwana Hadiya
  • Mwana Mize binti Muaba
  • Mwana Mwema, queen of Unguja (reigned ?–1653)
  • Fatuma binti Yussuf, queen of Unguja (reigned ?–1698 and 1709–1715)
  • Mwana wa Mwana
  • Mwanzuani
  • Mwana Khazija binti Ngwali
  • Fatuma binti Ali
  • Sabini binti Ngumi
Uganda
  • Elizabeth II, Queen of Uganda (reigned 1962–1963)

Bunyoro

  • Masamba Ga Winyi (reigned in the early 17th century; 5 Years)

Paroketu

  • Akech (reigned 1760–1787)

Songora people

The female monarchs of Songora were:

  • Kogyere I Rusija-Miryango
  • Kogyere II
  • Njunaki Kamaranga
  • Nyakahuma
  • Kitami kya Nyawera
  • Kantunguru
  • Kogyere III Ikamiro

Southern Africa

Malawi
  • Elizabeth II, Queen of Malawi (reigned 1964–1966)
Namibia

Mbunza

  •  Kapango (reigned (Catalan))

Ongandjera

  • Nakashwa (reigned 1862)

Oukwanyama

  • Martha Nelumbu (reign 2005–)

Shambyu

  • Maria Mwengere (reigned 1947–1987)
  • Angelina Matumbo Ribebe (reigned 1989–2015)
  • Sofia Mundjembwe Kanyetu (reign 2023–)

Uukwangali

  • Mate I (reigned (Catalan))
  • Nankali (reigned (Catalan))
  • Simbara (reigned 1785–1800)
  • Mate II (reigned 1800–1818)
  • Mpande (reigned 1880–1886)
  • Kanuni (reigned 1926–1941 and 1958–1971)
South Africa
  • Elizabeth II (reigned 1952–1961)

AmaMpondomise

  • Mamani kaPhahlo (reigned 1732–1758)

Lobedu people

The Modjadji or Rain Queen is the hereditary queen of Lobedu, the people of the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The succession to the position of Rain Queen is matrilineal, meaning that the Queen's eldest daughter is the heir, and that males are not entitled to inherit the throne at all. The Rain Queen is believed to have special powers, including the ability to control the clouds and rainfall.

Zambia
  • Mamochisane, queen of Makololo tribe (reigned (Catalan))
Zimbabwe

The Americas

North America

Canada
  • Victoria (reigned 1837–1901)
  • Elizabeth II (reigned 1952–2022)
Mexico

Cobá

  • Che'enal [sv] (reigned (Catalan))
  • Lady Yopaat [sv] (reigned (Catalan))
  • Lady K’awiil Ajaw (reigned 640–682)

Ecatepec

Palenque

ZacKukProfile
Sak K'uk'
  • Ix Yohl Ik'nal (reigned 583–604)
  • Sak K'uk', also known as Muwaan Mat (reigned 612–615)

Tepetlaoztoc

  • Azcasuch (reigned in the late 15th–early 16th century)

Toltec Empire

  • Xiuhtlaltzin (reigned 979–983)

Toniná

  • Lady K'awiil Yopaat (reigned 762–774)

Tzacoalco

Central America

Belize
  • Elizabeth II (reigned 1981–2022)

Pusilha

  • Lady Ich’aak K’inich
Guatemala

El Perú

La Florida

  • Lady Chaak (reigned (Catalan))

Naranjo

  • Wac Chanil Ahau, also known as Lady Six Sky

Tikal

The Caribbean

Antigua and Barbuda
  • Elizabeth II (reigned 1981–2022)
Bahamas
  • Elizabeth II (reigned 1973–2022)
Barbados
Grenada
  • Elizabeth II (reigned 1974–2022)
Jamaica
  • Elizabeth II (reigned 1962–2022)
Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Elizabeth II (reigned 1983–2022)
Saint Lucia
  • Elizabeth II (reigned 1979–2022)
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Elizabeth II (reigned 1979–2022)

South America

Brazil
  • Maria I (reigned as Queen of Brazil 1815–1816) – she was also Queen of Portugal in 1777–1816
Ecuador
Guyana
  • Elizabeth II, Queen of Guyana (reigned 1966–1970)
Peru
Suriname
Trinidad and Tobago
  • Elizabeth II, Queen of Trinidad and Tobago (reigned 1962–1976)

Asia

East Asia

China
  • Wu Zetian (Chinese: 武則天) – Empress regnant of China, ruling from 690 to 705. She was the only orthodox reigning empress in the history of China.

Although Wu Zetian is the only undisputed empress regnant recognized in orthodox Chinese historiography, there are two other documented cases of a woman holding the title of "Empress regnant" in Chinese history:

  • Daughter of Emperor Xiaoming of Northern Wei (Chinese: 元氏 (北魏孝明帝女); reigned 1–2 April 528) – during Northern Wei Dynasty, Empress Dowager Hu, after her son Emperor Xiaoming of Northern Wei's death, falsely declared Emperor Xiaoming's daughter to be a son and declared the daughter to be the new ruler, but almost immediately revealed that the child was in fact female, and thereafter declared Yuan Zhao, the young son of Emperor Xiaoming's cousin Yuan Baohui (元寶暉) emperor. Emperor Xiaoming's daughter is also therefore not usually considered a true monarch.

Eastern Kingdom of Women [zh]
In Tibet, there was Nüguo (Chinese: 女國, lit. "Kingdom of Women"), also known as Dong nüguo (Chinese: 東女國, lit. "Eastern Kingdom of Women"), related to the tribe Sumpa. Several queens regnant of there were recorded in Chinese history books.

Japan
Monarch Portrait Reign dates Length
Queen Himiko of Yamatai c. 180–247/248 AD (Catalan)
Queen Toyo of Yamatai (Catalan)–unknown Unknown
Empress Suiko Empress Suiko.jpg 593–628 35 years
Empress Kōgyoku Empress Kogyoku-Saimei.jpg 642–645 3 years
Empress Saimei 655–661 6 years
Empress Jitō Empress Jito by Katsukawa Shunsho.png 686–697 9 years
Empress Genmei Empress Gemmei.jpg 707–715 8 years
Empress Genshō Empress Genshō Tsubosaka-dera.jpg 715–724 9 years
Empress Kōken Empress Shōtoku.jpg 749–758 9 years
Empress Shōtoku 764–770 6 years
Empress Meishō Meisho of Japan.jpg 1629–1643 14 years
Empress Go-Sakuramachi Empress Go-Sakuramachi.jpg 1762–1771 9 years
Korea

Silla

South Asia

Bangladesh

Chakma Circle

  • Kalindi (reigned 1832–1873)
India

Alupa dynasty

  • Ballamahadevi (reigned 1275–1292) – she ruled with her son Nagadevarasa

Arakkal dynasty

  • Ali Raja Bibi Harrabichi Kadavube (reigned 1728–1732)
  • Ali Raja Bibi Junumabe I (reigned 1732–1745)
  • Ali Raja Bibi Junumabe II (reigned 1777–1819)

Bhauma-Kara dynasty

Bhopal State

  • Qudsia Begum (reigned 1819–1837) – in 1819, 18-year-old Qudsia Begum (also known as Gohar Begum) took over the reins after the assassination of her husband, Nawab Muiz Muhammad Khan Bahadur. She was the first female ruler of Bhopal. She declared that her 2-year-old daughter Sikander would follow her as the ruler; none of the male family members dared to challenge her decision. She ruled till 1837, when she died having adequately prepared her daughter for ruling the state.
  • Begum Sultan Shah Jehan (reigned 1844–1860 and 1868–1901) – Shahjahan was the only surviving child of Sikandar Begum, sometime Nawab of Bhopal by correct title, and her husband Jahangir Mohammed Khan. She was recognised as ruler of Bhopal in 1844 at the age of six; her mother wielded power as regent during her minority. However, in 1860, her mother Sikandar Begum was recognised by the British as ruler of Bhopal in her own right, and Shahjahan was set aside.
  • Begum Nawab Sikandar (reigned 1860–1868)
  • Begum Kaikhusrau Jahan (reigned 1901–1926)

British Raj

Gerusoppa

  • Rani Chennabhairadevi (reigned 1552–1606)

Holkar dynasty

Kakatiya dynasty

  • Rani Rudrama Devi (reigned 1262–1295)

Kashmir

  • Sugandha (reigned 904–906)
  • Didda (reigned 980–1003), she ruled first as a Regent for her son Abhimanyu and thereafter as sole ruler in her own right
  • Kota Rani (reigned 1338–1339)

Keladi Nayaka dynasty

Mamluk dynasty

Oiniwar dynasty

  • Viswavasa Devi (reigned 1431–1443)

Sambalpur State

  • Rani Mohan Kumari (reigned 1827–1833)

Sivaganga estate

  • Velu Nachiyar (reigned (Catalan))
  • Vellacci (reigned (Catalan))

Thanjavur Maratha kingdom

Travancore Kingdom

Ullal

Maldives
  • Damahaar (reigned before 990) – Damahaar, a Ranin (Queen) of the Aadeetta (Sun) Dynasty, is mentioned by al-Idrisi as having reigned over the Maldives at some time before the semi-legendary King Koimala; there are several other mentions by foreign travelers, mainly Arabs, of queens ruling over the Maldives at various times; these are not always named and their reigns cannot be precisely dated
  • Khadijah (reigned 1347–1363, 1364–1374, and 1376–1380)
  • Raadhafathi (reigned 1380)
  • Dhaain (reigned 1385–1388)
  • Kuda Kala Kamanafa’anu (reigned 1607–1609)
  • Amina I (reigned 1753–1754)
  • Amina II (reigned 1757–1759)
Nepal

Kingdom of Bhaktapur

  • Ganga Rani, co-ruler of Trailokya Malla (reigned in the 16th century)
Pakistan
  • Elizabeth II (reigned 1952–1956)

Gilgit

  • Dadi Jawari (reigned 1642—1667 and 1689—1705) — also known as Malika Jawahir Khatun
  • Malika Sahibnuma, also spelled as Sahebnuma (reigned 1825–1828)

Soomra dynasty

  • Hamoon (reigned 1107) – she occupied the throne after her husband Sanghar's death, but was soon crushed by the nobles
Sri Lanka

Southeast Asia

Cambodia

Funan

Chenla

  • Kambuja-raja-lakshmi (reigned 575–580)
  • Jayadevi (reigned 681–713) – during her rule, she was faulted in leadership which led the Chenla kingdom to break into two individual states, but then it record the period to be female-dominated dynasty with the wide range of female successors, totally driving the entire kingdom
  • Indrani (reigned in the 8th century)
  • Nṛpatendradevī (reigned in the 8th century)
  • Jayendrabhā (reigned in the 8th century)
  • Jyeṣṭhāryā (reigned (Catalan))

Post-Angkor period

  • Queen Tey (reigned 1687)
  • Ang Mey (reigned 1835–1840 and 1844–1846) – also known as Ngọc Vân Quận chúa (Lady Ngọc Vân – Vietnamese) or Ksat Trey, she was proclaimed on the death of her father by the Vietnamese faction at court with the title of Mỹ Lâm Quận chúa (Lady Mỹ Lâm – Vietnamese). She was famous as a Vietnamese puppet queen

First Kingdom of Cambodia

  • Queen Sisowath Kossamak (reigned 1960–1970, disputed) – After her husband King Norodom Suramarit's death, Kossamak kept her title of Queen and continued to function as the symbol and representative of the monarchy while Sihanouk assumed his position as monarch, but titled as Prince rather than King.
Indonesia

Aceh Sultanate

  • Seri Ratu Ta'jul Alam Shah (reigned 1641–1675) – the Sultana of Atjeh (Aceh) Darussalam, formerly known as Puteri Seri Alam the Daughter of the Great Sultan Iskandar Muda, and wife of Sultan Iskandar Thani
  • Seri Ratu Naqiatuddin Nurul Alam (reigned 1675–1678)
  • Seri Ratu Inayat Shah (reigned 1678–1688)
  • Seri Ratu Kamalat Syah (reigned 1688–1699) – she was deposed and replaced by her husband under pressure from the Mufti of Mecca

Bali Kingdom

Kingdom of Klungkung [id]

  • Dewa Agung Istri Kanya [id] (reigned 1814–1850)

Tanette

Kalingga Kingdom

  • Maharani Shima (reigned 674–695)

Majapahit

Parvati Majapahit 1
The statue of Tribhuwanottungadewi, queen of Majapahit, depicted as Parvati

Mataram Kingdom

  • Śri Isyana Tunggawijaya (reigned 947–985)

Sonbai Kecil

  • Bi Sonbai, also known as Usi Tetu Utang, in western Timor (reigned 1672–1717)

Kalinyamat Sultanate

Sultanate of Gowa

  • Tumanurung Baine

Samudera Pasai Sultanate

  • Ratu Nahrasyiyah [id]

Bone state

  • We Banrigau, Mallajange ri Cina
  • We Tenrituppu, Matinroe ri Bantaeng
  • We Bataritoja, Sultanah Zainab Zulkiyahtuddin (reigned 1714–1715 and 1724–1749)
  • We Imaniratu, Sultanah Rajituddin
  • We Tenriawaru, Sultanah Ummulhuda
  • We Fatimah Banri, Datu Citta

Sultanate of Buton

  • Wa kaa kaa (reigned 1332–?)
  • Bulawambona (reigned in the 14th century)

Bintan Island

  • Wan Sri Benian, queen of Bintan (reigned (Catalan))

Tanjungpura Kingdom

  • Ratu Sukadana (reigned 1608–1622)
Laos

Lan Xang

  • Nang Keo Phimpha (reigned 1438) – after her nephew Lan Kham Deng died, she seized control of Lan Xang and the next four kings were under her control. She only reigned for a few months in 1438 at the age of 95; she was then deposed and killed.
Malaysia

Kelantan

Myanmar

Hanthawaddy

Sandoway

  • Saw Yin Mi (reigned the 1420s–1437)

Waithali

Laihka State

  • Wife of Sao Ne Ya (reigned 1680–1683)
  • Youngest Sister of Hkun Hkawt (reigned 1866–1868)
Philippines

Kingdom of Tondo

Kingdom of Maynila

  • Queen of Maynila, name unknown (reigned (Catalan)) – she succeeded her husband Salalila and was succeeded by her son Matanda; according to oral traditions, her name is "Ysmeria"

Sultanate of Sulu

  • Nur ul-Azam (reigned (Catalan))
Thailand

Hariphunchai

  • Jamadevi (reigned in the 6th–7th century) — first ruler of the Mon kingdom of Hariphunchai

Pattani

  • Ratu Hijau, 'the Green Queen' (reigned 1584–1616)
  • Ratu Biru, 'the Blue Queen' (reigned 1616–1624)
  • Ratu Ungu, 'the Purple Queen' (reigned 1624–1635)
  • Ratu Kuning, 'the Yellow Queen' (reigned 1635–1651)
  • Raja Mas Kelantan (reigned 1670–1698)
  • Raja Mas Chayam (reigned 1698–1702 and 1716–1718)
  • Raja Dewi (reigned 1702–1711)

Lanna

  • Chiraprapha (reigned 1545–1546)
  • Wisutthi Thewi (reigned 1564–1578)
Timor-Leste

There were many chiefdoms on Timor, but according to the hierarchy among the Timorese domains, the ruler of Sonbai of West Timor, the ruler of Wehali of Central Timor, and the ruler of Likusaen (today: Liquiçá) of East Timor were three paramount rulers of Timor.

Liquiçá

  • Dona Ursula da Costa (reigned (Catalan))
  • Dona Gracia da Costa Rodrigues Pereira (reigned (Catalan))
  • Dona Engracia da Costa Delgado (reigned (Catalan))
Vietnam
  • Queen Trưng Trắc (reigned 40–43) – the Trưng sisters (Vietnamese: Hai Bà Trưng, lit.'two ladies Trưng') were leaders who rebelled against Chinese rule for three years, and are regarded as national heroines of Vietnam. Her name is Trưng Trắc.
  • Trưng Nhị [vi], co-ruler of Trưng Trắc
  • Lady Triệu (reigned 248), also known as Lệ Hải Bà Vương (chữ Hán: 麗海婆王, lit. "beautiful sea's lady king")
  • Empress Lý Chiêu Hoàng (reigned 1224–1225)

Champa

  • Daughter of Kandarpadharma (reigned ?–653)

West Asia

Iran

Elymais

  • Anzaze (reigned 82/81–75 BC, following dates on the coins), she appears on coins together with king Kamnaskires III; they perhaps ruled together as on the coins she is called βασιλίσσης (the Genitive case of queen, βασίλισσα – basílissa)
  • Ulfan (reigned in the 2nd century) – she co-ruled with her husband Orodes III

Ahmadilis

  • Sulafa Khatun (reigned 1209–1225)

Qutlugh-Khanids

Salghurids

Il Khanate

Khorshidi dynasty

Iraq

First Dynasty of Ur

  • Puabi (reigned (Catalan)) – there is a theory that she ruled on her own right

Jalayirid Sultanate

  • Tandu Khatun (reigned 1411–1419)

Soran Emirate

  • Mir Xanzad
Israel

Beit Shemesh

  • Lady of the Lions (reigned (Catalan))

Judah

Hasmonean dynasty

Herodian dynasty

  • Salome I (reigned 4 BC–10 AD) – she ruled as Toparch of Jabneh, Ashdod and Phasaelis
  • Livia (reigned 10–29) – she ruled as Toparch of Jabneh

Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem

Jordan

Gileadite

Nabatea

Lebanon

Tripoli
The County of Tripoli was an autonomous state.

  • Lucia of Tripoli (reigned 1287–1289)
Saudi Arabia

Bāzu

  • Iapa, queen of the city Dihrani – Esarhaddon conquered eight kings and queens of the land Bāzu
  • Baslu, queen of the city Ihilum – Esarhaddon conquered eight kings and queens of the land Bāzu

Qedarite

  • Zabibe (reigned (Catalan)–735 BC)
  • Samsi (reigned (Catalan)–710 BC)
  • Yatie (reigned (Catalan)–695 BC)
  • Te'el-hunu (reigned (Catalan)–690 BC)
  • Tabua (reigned (Catalan)–675 BC)
Syria

Tanukhids

  • Mavia (reigned 375–425) – "The Queen of the Arabs"

Seleucid Empire

  • Cleopatra Thea (reigned 126–121 BC) – she ruled with her sons Seleucus V and Antiochus VIII
  • Cleopatra Selene I (reigned 82–69 BC) – she ruled with her son Antiochus XIII

Palmyrene Empire

  • Zenobia (reigned 272) – she ruled mostly as regent for her son but reigned briefly under the regnal name Septimia Zenobia Augusta in 272.
Turkey

Antioch
The Principality of Antioch was an autonomous state.

Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia

  • Isabella (reigned 1219–1252) – she co-ruled with her husband Hethum I from 1226

Caria

Dardania

  • Mania (reigned after 399 BC) – queen of ancient Dardania according to Polyaenus and Xenophon

Heraclea Pontica

  • Amastris (reigned (Catalan)–284 BC)

Pontus

Olba Kingdom

  • Queen Aba (reigned in the 1st century BC)

Prusias ad Mare

Saltukid dynasty

Trebizond

Yemen

Sulayhid dynasty

  • Asma bint Shihab (reigned 1047–1087) – she was the co-ruler of Yemen in co-regency with her cousin and spouse, Ali al-Sulayhi, and later her son, Ahmad al-Mukkaram, and daughter-in-law, Arwa al-Sulayhi. Though there were many female monarchs in the Muslim world, Asma bint Shihab and Arwa al-Sulayhi were the only female monarchs in the Arab world to have had the khutba proclaimed in their name in the mosques as sovereigns.
  • Arwa al-Sulayhi (reigned 1067–1138) – she ruled Yemen firstly with her first two husbands and her mother-in-law and then as sole ruler. She was the greatest of the rulers of the Sulayhid Dynasty and was also the first woman to be accorded the prestigious title of hujja in Isma'ili branch of Shi'a Islam, signifying her as the closest living image of God's will in her lifetime.

Central Asia

Afghanistan
  • Queen of Greater Yuezhi, name unknown (reigned in the 2nd century BC) – after the king of the Greater Yuezhi was killed by the Xiongnu, his wife became the new monarch of Greater Yuezhi
Uzbekistan

North Asia

Siberia
  • Botohui-Tarhun (reigned in the 13th century)

Europe

Central Europe

Austria, Hungary, Croatia, and Czechia
Monarch Portrait Title State Start of reign End of reign Length
Mary
Mary (Chronica Hungarorum).jpg
Queen Hungary 10 September 1382 (1st reign)

24 February 1386 (2nd reign)

December 1385 (1st reign)

17 May 1395 (2nd reign)

Croatia
Maria Theresa
Kaiserin Maria Theresia (HRR).jpg
Archduchess Austria 20 October 1740 29 November 1780 40 years, 40 days
Queen Hungary
Croatia
Bohemia 19 December 1741 1 year, 60 days
12 May 1743 29 November 1780 37 years, 201 days

Marcomanni

Poland and Lithuania
Monarch Portrait Title State Start of reign End of reign Length
Jadwiga Jadwiga by Bacciarelli.jpg Queen Poland 16 October 1384 17 July 1399 14 years, 274 days
Anna Kober Anna Jagiellon in coronation robes.jpg Queen Poland 15 December 1575 19 August 1587 11 years, 247 days
Grand Duchess Lithuania

Eastern Europe

Armenia
  • Erato (reigned 8 BC–1 AD and 6–12 AD) – she ruled with Tigranes IV and Tigranes V
Georgia
Queen Tamar - Vardzia fresco
Tamar, King of Kings and Queen of Queens of the Georgians
Russia
Monarch Portrait Title Start of reign End of reign Length
Irina Godunova Irina Godunova, engraving.jpg Tsaritsa
(Disputed)
26 January 1598 3 March 1598 36 days
Catherine I Catherine I of Russia by Nattier.jpg Empress 8 February 1725 17 May 1727 2 years, 98 days
Anna Anna of Russia (Hermitage).jpg Empress 26 February 1730 28 October 1740 10 years, 245 days
Elizabeth Carle Vanloo, Portrait de l’impératrice Élisabeth Petrovna (1760).jpg Empress 6 December 1741 5 January 1762 20 years, 30 days
Catherine II Catherine II by A.Albertrandi after Rokotov.jpg Empress 9 July 1762 17 November 1796 34 years, 131 days

Sabir people

  • Queen Boa, also known as Boareks (reigned in the 520s)

Kingdom of the Cimmerian Bosporus

  • Kamasarye Philoteknos (reigned 180–150 BC) – she co-ruled with her husband Paerisades III
  • Dynamis (reigned in 47 BC, 44–17 BC, and 16–14 BC) – she co-ruled with her first husband Asander in 47 BC and from 44 BC until 17 BC; then she co-ruled with her second husband Polemon I from 16 BC until her death
  • Gepaepyris (reigned 37/38–39 AD)

Blue Horde

Khanate of Qasim

Northern Europe

Denmark, Norway and Sweden
Monarch Portrait Title State Start of reign End of reign Length of reign
Margaret I Margaret of Denmark, Norway & Sweden (1389) effigy 2010 (2).jpg Queen Denmark 10 August 1387 28 October 1412 25 years, 79 days
Norway 2 February 1388 24 years, 269 days
Sweden 24 February 1389 23 years, 247 days
Christina Swedish queen Drottning Kristina portrait by Sébastien Bourdon stor.jpg Queen Sweden 16 November 1632 16 June 1654 21 years, 212 days
Ulrika Eleonora Ulrika Eleonora, Queen of Sweden Georg Desmarées.jpg Queen Sweden 5 December 1718 29 February 1720 1 year, 86 days
Margrethe II Drottning Margrethe av Danmark.jpg Queen Denmark 14 January 1972 14 January 2024 52 years, 0 days

Agder

  • Åsa (reigned in the 9th century)

Western Europe

Luxembourg and Belgium

Burgundian Netherlands

Spanish Netherlands

Austrian Netherlands

Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

Netherlands
Monarch Portrait Title State Start of reign End of reign Length of reign
Wilhelmina
Wilhelmina1898.jpg
Queen Netherlands 23 November 1890 4 September 1948 57 years, 286 days
Juliana
Queen Juliana of the Netherlands, 1961 studio portrait (by Max Koot) – Nationaal Archief.jpg
Queen Netherlands 4 September 1948 30 April 1980 31 years, 239 days
Beatrix
Prinses Beatrix.jpg
Queen Netherlands 30 April 1980 30 April 2013 33 years, 0 days
Monaco
United Kingdom and Ireland
  • Cartimandua (reigned (Catalan)) — queen of the Brigantes, a Celtic people in what is now Northern England; she came to power around the time of the Roman conquest of Britain, and formed a large tribal agglomeration that became loyal to Rome; she is known exclusively from the work of a single Roman historian, Tacitus, though she appears to have been widely influential in early Roman Britain
  • Boudica (reigned (Catalan)) — queen of the Brythonic Celtic Iceni, people of Norfolk, in Eastern Britain; in 61 AD, she led a major uprising of the tribes against the occupying forces of the Roman Empire
  • Seaxburh of Wessex (reigned (Catalan)–674) – she reigned jointly with her husband Cenwalh and, according to tradition, ruled Wessex as Queen for a year following Cenwalh's death in (Catalan)
Monarch Portrait Title State Start of reign End of reign Length
Æthelflæd Æthelflæd as depicted in the cartulary of Abingdon Abbey.png Lady Mercia 911 918 c. 7 years
Ælfwynn Lady Mercia 12 June 918 4 December 918 175 days
Matilda Empress Matilda.png Lady (Disputed) England 8 April 1141 1148 c. 7 years
Margaret Margaret, Maid of Norway.jpg Queen (Disputed) Scotland 19 March 1286 September 1290 4 years, 6 months
Mary I of Scotland François Clouet - Mary, Queen of Scots (1542-87) - Google Art Project.jpg Queen Scotland 14 December 1542 24 July 1567 24 years, 222 days
Jane Streathamladyjayne.jpg Queen (Disputed) England 10 July 1553 19 July 1553 9 days
Ireland
Mary I of England Anthonis Mor 001.jpg Queen England 24 July 1553 17 November 1558 5 years, 116 days
Ireland
Elizabeth I Darnley stage 3.jpg Queen England 17 November 1558 24 March 1603 44 years, 127 days
Ireland
Mary II Mary II - Kneller 1690.jpg Queen England 13 February 1689 28 December 1694 5 years, 318 days
Ireland
Scotland 11 April 1689 5 years, 261 days
Anne Dahl, Michael - Queen Anne - NPG 6187.jpg Queen England 8 March 1702 1 May 1707 5 years, 54 days
Scotland
Ireland 1 August 1714 12 years, 146 days
Great Britain 1 May 1707 7 years, 92 days
Victoria Queen Victoria by Bassano.jpg Queen United Kingdom 20 June 1837 22 January 1901 63 years, 216 days
Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II official portrait for 1959 tour (retouched) (cropped) (3-to-4 aspect ratio).jpg Queen United Kingdom 6 February 1952 8 September 2022 70 years, 214 days

Southern Europe

Albania
Bosnia
Bulgaria

Odrysian kingdom

Cyprus

Kingdom of Cyprus

British Cyprus

  • Victoria (reigned 1878–1901)
  • Elizabeth II (reigned 1952–1960)
Greece
Zoe mosaic Hagia Sophia

Aeacid dynasty

Byzantine Empire

  • Irene of Athens (reigned 797–802) – she normally referred to herself as basilissa (empress), although there are three instances of the title basileus (emperor) being used by her. From 792 she was a co-ruler.
  • Theodora the Armenian (reigned 842–856, disputed) - after the death of her husband she became the co-ruler of her son but in fact she ruled the empire alone; some historians regard her as an empress regnant rather than just a regent
  • Thekla (reigned 842–856, disputed), co-ruler of Theodora the Armenian
  • Zoë Porphyrogenita (reigned 1028–1041 and 1042–1050) – she ruled with her consorts Romanos III and Michael IV between 1028 and 1041; she ruled with her sister Theodora and her third husband Constantine IX from 1042 to 1050
  • Theodora Porphyrogenita (reigned 1042–1056) – she ruled from 1042 jointly with her sister Zoe and Zoe's third husband Constantine IX; she ruled from 1055 until her own death as sole monarch.
  • Eudokia Makrembolitissa (reigned 1067, disputed) - after the death of her husband she became a ruler; some historians regard her as an empress regnant rather than just a regent

Epirus

Frankokratia
Latin Empire was disestablished in 1261, but Latin states in Greece, also known as Frankokratia, continued to recognize Latin emperors in exile as their overlords until 1383.

  • Catherine I (reigned 1283–1307)
  • Catherine II (reigned 1307–1346)

Polis

Italy

Ostrogothic Kingdom

  • Amalasuintha (reigned 534–535) – she ruled first as regent for her son and thereafter as queen regnant in her own right

Sardinian medieval kingdoms

Kingdom of Sicily

Kingdom of Naples

  • Joan I (reigned 1343–1382)
  • Joan II (reigned 1414–1435)
  • Joan III the Mad (reigned 1516–1555) – she was also Queen of Castile and Aragon

Italian states from the Congress of Vienna to the unification of Italy [it]
The Italian duchies restored by the Congress of Vienna became fully sovereign because the Kingdom of Italy was not restored.

Portugal
Monarch Portrait Title State Start of reign End of reign Length
Theresa Theresa of Portugal (1080-1130) mini.jpg Queen Portugal
(disputed)
1116 24 June 1128
Beatrice Detalle del Sepulcro de Beatriz de Portugal.jpg Queen Portugal
(disputed)
1383 1385
Maria I Maria I, Queen of Portugal - Giuseppe Troni, atribuído (Turim, 1739-Lisboa, 1810) - Google Cultural Institute.jpg Queen Portugal 24 February 1777 20 March 1816 39 years, 25 days
Maria II Maria II Portugal 1829.jpg Queen Portugal 2 May 1826 23 June 1828 2 years, 52 days
26 May 1834 15 November 1853 19 years, 173 days
Spain and Andorra
Monarch Portrait Title State Start of reign End of reign Length
Urraca the Reckless UrracaRegina TumboA.jpg Empress Spain 30 June 1109 8 March 1126 16 years, 251 days
Queen León
Queen Castile
Queen Galicia 1111
Petronilla Peronella reina.jpg Queen Aragon 13 November 1137 18 July 1164 26 years, 248 days
Urraca the Asturian Queen Kingdom of Artajona [eu] 1144 1153
Berengaria Bérengère de Castille.jpg Queen Castile 6 June 1217 31 August 1217 86 days
Queen Toledo
Sancha Queen León 24 September 1230 11 December 1230 78 days
Dulce Queen León 24 September 1230 11 December 1230 78 days
Joan I Joan I of Navarreskeble.jpg Queen Navarre 22 July 1284 2 April 1305 20 years, 254 days
Joan II Jana2Navarra hlava.jpg Queen Navarre 1 April 1328 6 October 1349 21 years, 188 days
Isabella of Foix-Castelbon Co-Princess Andorra 1398 1412
Blanche I BlancaI navarra.jpg Queen Navarre 8 September 1425 1 April 1441 15 years, 205 days
Blanche II Queen Navarre 23 September 1461 2 December 1464 3 years, 70 days
Isabella I IsabellaofCastile03.jpg Queen Castile 11 December 1474 26 November 1504 29 years, 351 days
Queen León
Eleanor Queen Navarre 28 January 1479 12 February 1479 15 days
Catherine Catherine de Foix.jpg Queen Navarre 7 January 1483 12 February 1517 34 years, 36 days
Co-Princess Andorra
Joanna Johanna I van Castilië.JPG Queen Castile 26 November 1504 12 April 1555 50 years, 137 days
Queen Aragon 23 January 1516 39 years, 79 days
Queen Upper Navarre
Jeanne Jeanne-albret-navarre.jpg Queen Lower Navarre 25 May 1555 9 June 1572 17 years, 15 days
Co-Princess Andorra
Isabella II La reina Isabel II de España, de Antonio María Esquivel (Museo de Bellas Artes de Sevilla).jpg Queen Spain 29 September 1833 30 September 1868 35 years, 1 day
Queen Upper Navarre 30 November 1833 62 days
Malta
Monarch Portrait Title State Start of reign End of reign Length
Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II official portrait for 1959 tour (retouched) (cropped) (3-to-4 aspect ratio).jpg Queen Malta 21 September 1964 13 December 1974 10 years, 83 days

Oceania

Australasia

Australia
  • Victoria (reigned 1901)
  • Elizabeth II (reigned 1952–2022)
New Zealand
  • Elizabeth II (reigned 1952–2022)

Rarotonga

  • Makea Takau Ariki, Queen/Supreme High Chiefess of the Cook Islands (reigned 1871–1911) – was the last monarch and only queen regnant of the Kingdom of Rarotonga established in 1858, she ceased to be sovereign after 1888

Melanesia

Fiji
  • Elizabeth II (reigned 1970–1987)
Papua New Guinea
  • Elizabeth II (reigned 1975–2022)
Solomon Islands
  • Elizabeth II (reigned 1978–2022)

Polynesia

American Samoa
Matelita
Tui Manuʻa Matelita.
  • Tuimanufili (reigned as 20th Tui Manu'a)
  • Siliave (reigned as 23rd Tui Manu'a)
  • Seuea (reigned as 27th Tui Manu'a)
  • Matelita (reigned 1891–1895, as 39th Tui Manu'a)
French Polynesia

Bora Bora

Huahine

  • Teha'apapa I (reigned 1760–1790)
  • Teri'itaria II (reigned 1815–1852)
  • Teha'apapa II (reigned 1868–1893)
  • Teuhe (reigned 1888–1890) – she reigned under a rebellion government against her mother Queen Tehaapapa II
  • Teha'apapa III (reigned 1893–1895)

Raiatea

  • Tehauroarii (reigned 1881–1884)
  • Tuarii (reigned till 1897) – she reigned under a rebellion government against the French with the support of Teraupo'o after Tamatoa VI abdicated.

Rapa Iti

  • Daughter of Parima (reigned 1886–1887)

Rimatara

Tahiti

  • Purea (reigned in the 18th century), queen of the Teva clan on the southern part of the island before unification
  • Pōmare IV (reigned 1827–1877)
Hawaii

Ancient Hawaii

Kingdom of Hawaii

Tonga
  • Tupoumahe'ofo (reigned 1777–1781, as Tu'i Kanokupolu)
  • Salote Tupou III (reigned 1918–1965)
Tuvalu
  • Elizabeth II (reigned 1978–2022)
Wallis and Futuna

Uvea

Legendary and mythological monarchs

Chile

China

Congo

Kuba Kingdom

Women written in italics in the list of Kuba Kingdom rulers:

  • Lobamba
  • Gokare
  • Sanga Motunu
  • Pelama Pena
  • Boeke
  • Sanga Lenga
  • Bosh Akama
  • Kele Kama
  • Bolueme

Czechia

Easter Island

  • Vakai, queen of Kingdom of Rapa Nui

Ecuador

  • Paccha Duchicela, queen of the Kingdom of Quito

Egypt

  • Nitocris of the Sixth Dynasty – Nitocris is mentioned within Herodotus' book Histories as being the last Pharaoh of the Sixth Dynasty of Egypt.
  • Charoba – A queen mentioned in a history of Egypt written by 12th-century Arab writer Murtada ibn al-'Afif.
  • Daluka of the Soleyman Dynasty – An Antediluvian monarch from medieval Coptic and Arabic texts who supposedly built a wall around Egypt to protect the country from invasion and also was said to have built a pyramid and a nilometer at Memphis. Sometimes claimed to be a cousin of Charoba and her immediate successor.
  • Borsa of the Soleyman Dynasty – Mentioned in medieval Coptic and Arabic texts as a ruler of Egypt in the Antediluvian era. Sometimes described as a "priestess".

Ethiopia

The following names all come from a regnal list written in 1922, which is partially based on native traditions and older regnal lists, but also contains additional names of Coptic and Nubian origin, the latter due to its association with the word "Aethiopia" in ancient and Biblical texts. Claimed dates follow the Ethiopian calendar.

  • Borsa (reigned 4321–4254 BC) – Originated from Coptic tradition.
  • Eylouka (reigned 3776–3731 BC) – Originated from Coptic tradition.
  • Nehasset Nais (reigned 2434–2404 BC)
  • Kasiyope (reigned 1890–1871 BC) – Originated from Greek mythology.
  • Mumazes reigned (1675–1671 BC) – Daughter of king Bonu I.
  • Aruas (reigned 1671 BC) – Daughter of Mumazes.
  • Helena (reigned 1358–1347 BC)
  • Makeda (reigned 1013–982 BC) – The Biblical queen of Sheba in Ethiopian tradition and mother of Menelik I. She succeeded to the throne after the death of her father king Kawnasya.
  • Nicauta Kandake I (reigned 740–730 BC)
  • Hadina (reigned 372–362 BC) – Most regnal lists of Ethiopia claim this monarch reigned for 9 years.
  • Nikawla Kandake II (reigned 342–332 BC) – An alternate name for the Queen of Sheba
  • Akawsis Kandake III (reigned 325–315 BC)
  • Nikosis Kandake IV (reigned 242–232 BC)
  • Awsena (reigned 99–88 BC) – Most regnal lists of Ethiopia claim this monarch reigned for 1 year.
  • Nicotnis Kandake V (reigned 35–25 BC)
  • Garsemot Kandake VI (reigned 40–50 AD) – Supposedly the Kandake from the Biblical story of the Ethiopian Eunuch.
  • Wakana (reigned 230 AD) – Reigned for 2 days.
  • Ahywa Sofya (reigned 299–332 AD) – Likely based on Sofya of Axum, mother of Ezana.
  • Adhana I (reigned 369–374 AD) – Some regnal lists of Ethiopia claim this monarch reigned for 14 years.
  • Adhana II (reigned 412–418 AD) – Some regnal lists claim this monarch co-ruled with king Abreha III.

Kingdom of Simien

  • Gudit (reigned (Catalan))

Sidama people

French Polynesia

  • Queen Mamea

Greece

Amazons

  • Otrera, the daughter of Eurus (the east wind)
  • Hippolyta, the Amazonian queen who possessed a magical girdle
  • Penthesilea, the daughter of Ares and Otrera and the sister of Hippolyta, Antiope and Melanippe
  • Antianara, the daughter of Ares and Otrera and the sister of Hippolyta, Antiope and Melanippe
  • Eurypyle
  • Lampedo
  • Marpesia

India

  • Yashovati, ruler of Kashmir – she was described in Rajatarangini

Indonesia

  • Mahisa Suramardini Warmandewi, queen of Salakanagara (reigned 276–289 AD)
  • Sphatikarnawa Warmandewi, queen of Salakanagara (reigned 340–348 AD)

Iran

Iraq

Ireland

Japan

Korea

  • Lady Saso, honorary queen regnant of Silla
  • Queen of Jeoknyeo-guk – Talhae's mother was the princess of Jeoknyeo-guk (Hangul: 적녀국; Hanja: 積女國), an island country where only women lived

Libya

Malaysia

Mexico

Aztec Empire

Myanmar

Norway

  • Lagertha

Pakistan

  • Nur Bakht Khatun of Trakhan Dynasty
  • the Dareli queen of Trakhan Dynasty

Poland

Russia

  • Narchat

Somaliland

  • Arawelo, queen of Habr Je'lo
  • Kola, queen of Abasa

South Africa

Sri Lanka

  • Kuveni, queen of Yakkha people of Sri Lanka before the founding of Kingdom of Tambapanni

Sudan

  • Pelekh Candace of Meroë (reigned (Catalan))

Tunisia

  • Dido (reigned 814–(Catalan)) – also known as Alyssa. Founder of Carthage, according to tradition

Turkey

  • Onomaris, Queen of the Galatians
  • Queen of Kanesh

Turkmenistan

  • Zarinaea, legendary Sacae woman ruler of the Dahae

United Kingdom

  • Queen Gwendolen (reigned in the 11th century BC)
  • Queen Cordelia (reigned in the 8th century BC)
  • Queen Marcia (reigned in the 4th century BC)

Vatican City

Vietnam

Yemen

Constituent and self-proclaimed monarchs

Botswana

  • Mosadi Muriel Seboko (reigned 2002–present), the kgosikgolo of the Balete people

China

  • Chen Shuozhen (reigned 653) – She led a peasant uprising in 653. During the rebellion, she declared herself huangdi. Jian Bozan recognized her as a female huangdi.

Easter Island

  • Koreto, reigning queen of Easter Island (reigned ?–1876) – Dutrou-Bornier married Koreto and appointed her as Queen
  • Caroline, reigning queen of Easter Island (reigned 1877) – after the death of Dutrou-Bornier, his widow Koreto briefly installed their daughter Caroline as Queen

Haiti

India

Jamaica

  • Queen Nanny, leader of the Jamaican Maroons

New Zealand

Nigeria

  • Ahebi Ugbabe

Panama

  • Rufina Santana, queen of Naso people (reigned 1982–1988)

United States Virgin Islands

The leaders of the 1878 St. Croix labor riot were:

  • "Queen Mary" Thomas
  • "Queen Agnes" Salomon
  • "Queen Mathilda" McBean

Chieftainesses

Argentina

  • Juana Koslay (princess) [es]

Botswana

  • Kgosi Rebecca Banika

Burundi

Chile

Cameroon

  • Marie-Thérèse Assiga Ahanda

Colombia

Dominican Republic

Ecuador

  • Juana Guare

Fiji

Ghana

Guinea

  • Niara Bely

Haiti

Ireland

  • Grace O'Malley, also known as "the Pirate Queen", chieftainess of the Ó Máille clan in Umaill

Israel

Kenya

  • Wangu wa Makeri

Kyrgyzstan

  • Kurmanjan Datka, also known as "The Tsaritsa of Alai", tribal leader of Alay (reigned 1862–1876)

Liberia

  • Suah Koko

Malawi

  • Theresa Kachindamoto

New Zealand

Māori people

  • Hine-i-paketia
  • Hinematioro

Rarotonga

Niger

Nigeria

  • Agbani Darego, honorary chieftaincy of Lagos
  • Alaba Lawson
  • Efunsetan Aniwura
  • Efunroye Tinubu, Iyalode of the Egbas
  • Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti

Palau

  • Gloria Salii

Pakistan

  • Sada Kaur

Peru

Puerto Rico

  • Luisa, also known as Yuisa, Cacica of Loíza (reigned ?–1513)

Sierra Leone

South Africa

Xhosa

  • Nosizwe Tyali, Chief of Imingcangathelo
  • Nosiseko Gaika, Chief of Amambombo (Ngqika)
  • Nomasilakhe Komani, Chief of Imingqalasi

South Sudan

  • Mathiang Yak Anek

United States of America

Appomattoc

Crow tribe

  • Pine Leaf (reigned 1830s)

Giluts'aaw

  • Victoria Young

Hoocąk

Pamunkey

Pocasset Wampanoag

Sakonnet

Seneca tribe

Vanuatu

  • Motarilavoa Hilda Lin̄i

Venezuela

  • Apacuana
  • Isabel (cacica) [es]
  • Orocomay [es]
  • Urimare (cacica) [es]
  • Ana Soto (cacica) [es]

Yemen

  • Sharifa Fatima

Semi-independent feudal rulers

Albania

Duchy of Durazzo

  • Joanna (reigned 1348–1368)

Principality of Albania

Principality of Valona

Bangladesh

  • Rani Bhabani, zamindar of Rajshahi Raj family
  • Saratsundari Devi, zamindar of Puthia Raj family
  • Hemanta Kumari Devi [bn], zamindar of Puthia Raj family

India

  • Rani Bhawani, zamindar of Midnapore Raj
  • Rani Shiromani, zamindar of Midnapore Raj
  • Rani Rashmoni, zamindar of Janbazar

Indonesia

  • Gusti Raden Ayu Tirtonegoro R. Rasmana, ruler of the Duchy of Sumenep [id] (reigned 1750–1762)

Romania

Crown landholders

Estonia

Swedish Estonia

Russian Estonia

  • Catherine I (reigned 8 February 1725 – 17 May 1727)
  • Anna (reigned 13 February 1730 – 28 October 1740)
  • Elizabeth (reigned 6 December 1741 – 5 January 1762)
  • Catherine II (reigned 9 July 1762 – 6 November 1796)

Finland

Swedish Finland

Iceland

Norwegian Iceland

kids search engine
List of female monarchs Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.