Pretender facts for kids
A pretender is someone who says they have the right to be a ruler, like a king, queen, or emperor. They claim that the person currently on the throne should not be there.
Sometimes, people call a pretender a "claimant." A pretender might be an imposter, meaning they are pretending to be someone else. Often, they might claim to be a prince or a royal person who was thought to be missing or dead. However, some pretenders might have a real and genuine right to the throne.
The word pretend comes from the French word prétendre. This word originally meant "to make a loud statement" or "to profess." In modern English, "pretend" often means "to claim falsely."
Real or False Claims?
Not all pretenders are fakes. Some truly believe they are the rightful heir to a throne. Their claim might be based on family history or old laws. For example, after a war or a change in government, a royal family might be forced to leave their country. Their descendants might then become pretenders, hoping to one day regain the throne.
Famous Pretenders
History has many stories of famous pretenders. These individuals often led exciting lives, sometimes even starting wars to try and win their crown.
One well-known pretender was Charles Edward Stuart, also known as Bonnie Prince Charlie. He was a Scottish prince who tried to take back the thrones of Scotland, Ireland, and England in the 1700s. His family, the Stuarts, had been removed from power earlier.
Another famous case involves Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia. After the Russian Revolution, her family was killed. For many years, people claimed to be Anastasia, saying they had survived.
Related Pages
Images for kids
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James Francis Edward Stuart, known as the Old Pretender, was recognized by King Louis XIV of France as the rightful claimant to the English, Irish, and Scottish thrones in 1701.
See also
In Spanish: Pretendiente al trono para niños
