Popular monarchy facts for kids

A popular monarchy is a special kind of title for a king, queen, or emperor. Instead of being named the ruler of a place (like "King of France"), the monarch is named the ruler of a people (like "King of the French"). This shows that the ruler's power comes from the people they lead, not just the land they own.

This style of title was very common in ancient times and during the Middle Ages. Some countries continued to use these titles even into the 1900s. Today, there is only one country left with this type of title: Belgium, where the monarch is called the "King of the Belgians."

A Ruler of People, Not Just Land

Most of the time, we hear titles like "Queen of England" or "King of Spain." These are called territorial titles because they are linked to a specific territory or piece of land. A popular monarchy uses a popular title, which is linked to a group of people or a nation.

For example:

• Territorial Title: King of France (rules the land of France)
• Popular Title: King of the French (rules the French people)

This small change in wording is important. It suggests that the monarch rules with the support of the people, not just because they control the land.

Famous Examples from History

Many famous kingdoms and empires throughout history used popular titles for their rulers.

The Franks and the French

In the Middle Ages, the rulers of the Franks were called Rex Francorum, which is Latin for "King of the Franks." This tradition influenced France for centuries.

During the French Revolution, King Louis XVI had to change his title from "King of France" to "King of the French." This was a major change that showed power was shifting to the citizens. Later, Napoleon I called himself "Emperor of the French," not "Emperor of France."

The English and the Scots

Early kings in England did not rule over a single, united country. Instead, they had titles like "King of the Anglo-Saxons" or "King of the English," showing they were leaders of those groups of people. The first king to call himself "King of the English" was Æthelstan in the 10th century.

Similarly, the monarch of Scotland was known as the "King of Scots." This title emphasized that the king or queen ruled the Scottish people, wherever they lived.

The Romans

The powerful rulers of the Roman Empire and the later Byzantine Empire used the title "Emperor of the Romans." This meant they were the leaders of the Roman people, an idea that was central to their power.

The Only Popular Monarchy Today

The only country that still uses a popular monarchy title is Belgium. The official title of the Belgian monarch is King of the Belgians, not "King of Belgium."

This tradition started in 1831 with Belgium's first king, Leopold I. The title shows that the king's role is tied to the Belgian people and the constitution, making it a symbol of a modern monarchy.

A List of Popular Royal Titles

Here are some other examples of popular titles used by rulers throughout history.

See also

• Revolutions of 1830
• Pater Patriae