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Personal union facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

A personal union happens when two or more independent countries share the same person as their ruler. This means one king, queen, or president is in charge of multiple countries at the same time.

Personal unions can start for different reasons. Sometimes, a princess marries a king, and their child inherits both crowns. Other times, a personal union might be used to prevent rebellions if one country wants to take over another. These unions can be written down in a country's rules, clearly stating that both countries will share the same ruler. However, this is not always the case, which can make it easier for the union to end.

Famous Personal Unions

Andorra

  • Andorra has had a partial personal union with France since 1607. The French president (and before that, the King of France) is one of Andorra's two leaders. The other leader is the Bishop of La Seu d'Urgell in Spain.

Australia

  • Since 1941, Australia has shared its monarch with the United Kingdom. This happened when a special law, the Westminster Statute, was agreed upon in 1942. This law meant the British Parliament could no longer make laws for Australia. In 1986, another law removed the highest court in Britain as the final court for Australian legal cases. Today, Queen Elizabeth II serves as Queen of Australia. She has a representative, the Governor-General, who is chosen by the Australian Prime Minister.

Belgium

  • Belgium had a personal union with the Congo Free State from 1885 to 1908. After that, Belgium officially took over the Congo Free State.

Bohemia

  • Bohemia had personal unions with Poland at different times, like from 1003 to 1004.
  • It also shared rulers with Hungary from 1419-1439 and 1490-1526.
  • A long personal union existed with Austria and Hungary from 1526 to 1918.

Brandenburg

  • Brandenburg had a personal union with the Duchy of Prussia from 1618. This happened when the Duke of Prussia died without a male heir. His son-in-law, John Sigismund, Elector of Brandenburg, became the ruler of both areas.
  • Brandenburg and Prussia kept separate governments in Berlin and Königsberg until 1701. Then, Frederick William I joined them into one government.

Congo Free State

  • The Congo Free State was in a personal union with Belgium from 1885 to 1908. After this, Belgium officially took control of it.

Denmark

  • Denmark was in a personal union with Norway from 1380 to 1814.
  • The Kalmar Union was a personal union of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden from 1389 to 1521.
  • The kings of Denmark were also dukes of Schleswig and Holstein from 1460 to 1864.
  • Denmark also had a personal union with Iceland from 1918 to 1944. Iceland then became an independent republic.

England

  • England had a personal union with Ireland from 1541 to 1707. This started when the Irish Parliament declared King Henry VIII of England as King of Ireland.
  • A personal union with Scotland existed from 1603 to 1707. This ended when England and Scotland joined to form the Kingdom of Great Britain.
  • From 1689 to 1702, England also shared a ruler with most of the Netherlands. The Dutch leader, called a Stadtholder, also became King of England, Scotland, and Ireland.

France

  • France had a personal union with the Duchy of Brittany from 1491 to 1532. Duchess Anne of Brittany was forced to marry King Charles VIII of France. Brittany was later officially made part of France.
  • A personal union with Navarre lasted from 1589 to 1620. Navarre was then officially joined with France.
  • France also has a partial personal union with Andorra since 1607. The French president is one of Andorra's leaders.

Great Britain

Hanover

Holy Roman Empire

Hungary

Iceland

  • Iceland was in a personal union with Denmark from 1918 to 1944. After this, Iceland became a republic.

Ireland

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Navarre

  • Navarre was in a personal union with France from 1589 to 1620. It was then officially joined with France.

The Netherlands

Norway

  • Norway had a personal union with Sweden from 1319 to 1343.
  • It was in a personal union with Denmark from 1380 to 1814.
  • The Kalmar Union included Norway, Denmark, and Sweden from 1389 to 1521.
  • Norway was also in a personal union with Sweden again from 1814 to 1905. This happened when Norway declared independence from Denmark and was then forced into a union with Sweden.

Poland

Poland-Lithuania

Portugal

Romania

Scotland

  • Scotland had a personal union with England and Ireland from 1603 to 1707. This ended when England and Scotland joined to form the Kingdom of Great Britain.
  • From 1689 to 1702, Scotland also shared a ruler with most of the Netherlands. The Dutch Stadtholder also served as King of Scotland, England, and Ireland.

Spain

Sweden

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Unión personal para niños

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