Monarchy

A monarchy is a form of government led by a king or queen. The ruler usually comes from a royal family. When the king or queen dies, a family member takes over the throne. Monarchies have existed for thousands of years all around the world.

Absolute and Constitutional Monarchies

In an absolute monarchy, the king or queen has total power. They make all the important decisions. In a constitutional monarchy, the king or queen shares power with a government chosen by the people. Many modern monarchies, like the United Kingdom, are constitutional monarchies.

Famous Monarchies

Ancient Egypt was ruled by pharaohs for thousands of years. European kingdoms like England, France, and Spain had powerful monarchies. Today, there are still about 43 countries with monarchs. Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom reigned for 70 years, one of the longest reigns in history.

Fun Facts

• Japan's monarchy is the oldest in the world, going back over 2,600 years.
• Queen Elizabeth II reigned for 70 years, from 1952 to 2022.
• There are still about 43 countries with a monarch today.

Did You Know?

In some ancient cultures, people believed their king or queen was chosen by the gods to rule.