Monarchy of Pakistan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Monarchy of Pakistan |
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Federal
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Coat of Arms of Pakistan
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| Details | |
| Style | Majesty |
| First monarch | King George VI |
| Last monarch | Queen Elizabeth II |
| Formation | 15 August 1947 |
| Abolition | 23 March 1956 |
| Residence | Buckingham Palace, United Kingdom |
| Appointer | Hereditary |
| Pretender(s) | Title abolished (stopped) |
The Monarchy of Pakistan was how Pakistan was governed from 1947 to 1956. During this time, Pakistan was an independent country called a Commonwealth realm. This meant it had a king or queen as its head of state. The monarch's role was mostly symbolic, meaning they were a figurehead.
The king or queen of Pakistan was the same person who ruled the United Kingdom. This system was shared with several other countries. The monarch's duties in Pakistan were mainly handled by a local representative called the Governor-General of Pakistan.
Contents
How Pakistan Became a Monarchy
Pakistan became a monarchy because of the Indian Independence Act of 1947. The Parliament of the United Kingdom created this law. It split British India into two new independent countries: India and Pakistan.
Both new countries became constitutional monarchies. This means they had a monarch, but their power was limited by a constitution (a set of rules). The rules for who would become the next king or queen of Pakistan were the same as those for the United Kingdom. These rules were set by an old law called the Act of Settlement 1701.
When the Monarchy Ended
The monarchy in Pakistan ended on March 23, 1956. On this day, Pakistan adopted a new constitution. This new constitution changed Pakistan from a monarchy into a republic. In a republic, the head of state is usually a president, not a king or queen.
Even after becoming a republic, Pakistan remained part of the Commonwealth of Nations. This is a group of countries that were once part of the British Empire. Pakistan left the Commonwealth in 1972 but rejoined in 1989.
Kings and Queens of Pakistan
Here are the monarchs who ruled Pakistan during its time as a monarchy:
| Picture | Name | Born | Died | Ruled From | Ruled Until | Relationship to previous monarch |
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King George VI | December 14, 1895 | February 6, 1952 | August 15, 1947 | February 6, 1952 | None (first monarch) |
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Queen Elizabeth II | April 21, 1926 | — | February 6, 1952 | March 23, 1956 | Daughter of King George VI |
Royal Consorts of Pakistan
A consort is the husband or wife of a ruling monarch. Here are the consorts during Pakistan's monarchy:
| Picture | Name | Born | Died | Consort From | Consort Until | Relationship to monarch |
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Queen Elizabeth | August 4, 1900 | March 30, 2002 | August 15, 1947 | February 6, 1952 | Wife of King George VI |
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Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh |
June 10, 1921 | — | February 6, 1952 | March 23, 1956 | Husband of Queen Elizabeth II |
Images for kids
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George VI, King of Pakistan, on a Pakistani 10-rupee banknote from 1947.
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Liaquat Ali Khan, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, with George VI, King of Pakistan, and other Commonwealth Prime Ministers in London in 1949.
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The Queen's coronation gown had special embroidery for Pakistan: wheat, cotton, and jute.
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The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mohammad Ali Bogra (second from left), with Queen Elizabeth II and other Commonwealth leaders in 1955.
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The official announcement of the Queen's title, published in The Gazette of Pakistan on May 29, 1953.
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A letter from Queen Elizabeth II to King Faisal II of Iraq on January 24, 1955.
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The Queen with Nazir Ahmed, chairman of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission.
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Queen Elizabeth II visiting Chittagong, East Pakistan, in 1961.
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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during their visit to Pakistan in 2019.
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A Pakistani stamp featuring King George VI.
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Flying badge of the Royal Pakistan Air Force (RPAF) with the Tudor Crown.
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The front of the 1949 Pakistan Medal showing the royal symbol of King George VI.
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The badge of the Baluch Regiment, Pakistan Army, featuring the Tudor Crown.
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