This is a list of currently reigning constituent monarchs, including traditional rulers and governing constitutional monarchs. Each monarch reigns over a legally recognised dominion, but in most cases possess little or no sovereign governing power. Their titles, however, are recognised by the state. Entries are listed beside their respective dominion ("polity"), and are grouped by country.
African monarchs
Asian monarchs
European Monarchs
State | Polity | Monarch | Since | House | Succession | Refs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Guernsey | Sark | Christopher Beaumont | 3 July 2016 | Beaumont | Hereditary |
North American monarchs
State | Polity | Monarch | Since | House | Succession | Refs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Panama | Naso Tjër Di Comarca | Reynaldo Santana | 02 Oct 2011 | Santana | Elective and hereditary | [1][2] |
Trinidad and Tobago | Santa Rosa First Peoples Community | Nona Aquan | 12 Oct 2019 | Aquan | Elective and hereditary | [3][4][5] |
First People of Moruga | Eric Lewis | 21 Feb 2022 | Lewis | Elective and hereditary | [6][7] |
South American monarchs
State | Polity | Monarch | Since | House | Succession | Refs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bolivia | Afro-Bolivians | Julio Pinedo | 18 April 1992 | Pinedo | Hereditary | [8] |
Oceanian monarchs
State | Polity | Monarch | Since | House | Succession | Refs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
American Samoa | Manu'a | Tu'i Manu'a Vacant | 6 July 1904 | Elective and hereditary | ||
Fiji | Fiji | Tui Viti Vacant | Elective and hereditary | |||
Marshall Islands [oc 1] | Kwajalein | Iroijlaplap Michael Kabua | 19 September 2019 | Kabua | Elective and hereditary | [9] |
North Ratak [oc 2] | Iroijlaplap Remios Hermios | 10 December 1998 | Hermios | Elective and hereditary | [10] | |
Federated States of Micronesia | Madolenihmw | Nahnmwarki Kerpet Ehpel [oc 3] | November 2008 | Dipwinpahnmei [oc 4] | Elective and hereditary | [11][12] |
Sokehs | Nahnmwarki Herculano Kohler | 1997 | Sounkawad | Elective and hereditary | [13] | |
Uh | Nahnmwarki Welter John [oc 5] | 30 September 1991 | Lasialap [oc 6] | Elective and hereditary | [14] | |
New Caledonia | Kunié | High Chief Hilarion Vendégou | 26 September 1974 [oc 7] | Vao [oc 8] | Hereditary | [15] |
Maré | High Chief Dokucas Naisseline | 6 June 2007 | Naisseline [oc 9] | Hereditary [oc 10] | [16] | |
Lifou | High Chief Evanes Boula | 13 June 1999 | Boula [oc 8] | Hereditary [oc 11] | [17] | |
New Zealand | Kīngitanga [oc 12] | Arikinui Ngā Wai Hono i te Pō | 5 September 2024 | Te Wherowhero [oc 13] | Elective and hereditary [oc 14] | [18] |
Tūwharetoa | Arikinui Tumu Te Heuheu Tūkino VIII | 5 August 1997 | Te Heuheu | Hereditary | [19] | |
Palau [oc 15] | Koror | Vacant | Ngerekldeu [oc 16] | Elective and Hereditary [oc 17] | [20] | |
Melekeok | Reklai Bao Ngirmang | 1998 | Ngetelngal [oc 16] | Elective and Hereditary [oc 17] | ||
Samoa [oc 18] | Tupua Tamasese Tupuola Tufuga Efi [oc 19] | 1 July 1983 | Sa Tupua | Elective and hereditary | [21] | |
Tuimaleali'ifano Va'aletoa Sualauvi II [oc 20] | 1977 | Tuia'ana | Elective and hereditary | [22] | ||
Vacant [oc 21] | December 1997 | Sa Mata'afa | Elective and hereditary | [23] | ||
Malietoa Fa’amausili Molī | 16 August 2018 | Sa Mālietoa | Elective and hereditary [oc 22] | [24] | ||
Tahiti | Tahiti | Teriʻihinoiatua Joinville Hinoiariki Pomare XI | 19 April 2023 | Pōmare | Elective and hereditary | [25] |
Tuvalu [oc 23] | Funafuti | Aliki Siaosi Finiki | Elective and hereditary [oc 24] | [26][27] | ||
Nanumanga | Aliki Talivai Sovola | Mouhala | Elective and hereditary | |||
Nanumea | Aliki Iliala Lima | Elective and hereditary [oc 25] | ||||
Niutao | Aliki Iosefa Lagafaoa | Elective and hereditary | ||||
Nui | Aliki Falani Mekuli | Elective and hereditary | ||||
Nukufetau | Aliki Valoaga Fonotapu | Elective and hereditary | ||||
Nukulaelae | Aliki Aifou Tafia | Elective and hereditary | ||||
Vaitupu | Aliki Londoni Panapa | Elective and hereditary | ||||
Wallis and Futuna | Alo | Tuʻi Lino Leleivai | 29 November 2018 | Lalolalo | Elective and hereditary [oc 26] | [28] |
Sigave | Tuʻi Eufenio Takala | 5 March 2016 | Vanai | Elective and hereditary [oc 27] | [citation needed] | |
Uvea | Tuʻi Felice Tominiko Halagahu (co-claimant) | 16 April 2016 | Takumasiva | Elective and hereditary [oc 28] | [29] | |
Tuʻi Patalione Kanimoa (co-claimant) | 17 April 2016 | |||||
Cook Islands
Each major atoll in the Cook Islands has a number of arikis, ceremonial high chiefs who together form the Are Ariki, a parliamentary advisory body with up to 24 seats. The only domains not listed below are those of Manuae, on which current information is inadequate, and Penrhyn, whose chiefly line is extinct. Styles and names are listed in their conventional local form. In addition to the generic title of ariki, which is worn at the end of one's name, each chiefly line carries its own unique style, which is placed at the beginning. Thus, if the chief's name is "Henry" and his title is "Ngamaru", he is styled "Ngamaru Henry Ariki".
State | Polity | Monarch | Since | House | Succession | Refs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cook Islands | Aitutaki | Manarangi Tutai Ariki | 2000 | Vaipaepae o Pau | Hereditary | [30] |
Tamatoa Purua Ariki | Hereditary | [31] | ||||
Vaeruarangi Teaukura Ariki | Hereditary | [32] | ||||
Atiu | Parua Mataio Kea Ariki | Nurau | Hereditary | [33] | ||
Rongomatane Ada Ariki [oc 29] | 1972 | Paruarangi | Hereditary | [30] | ||
Ngamaru Tupuna Ariki | 2021 | Te Akatuira | Hereditary | [34] | ||
Mangaia | Numangatini Tereapii Ariki | 29 August 2020 | Nga Ariki | Hereditary | [35] | |
Manihiki [oc 30] | Te Fakaheo Ariki [oc 31] | Hukutahu [oc 32] | Hereditary | [32][36] | ||
Vacant [oc 33] | Matangaro [oc 34] | Hereditary | ||||
Mauke | Tamuera Ariki [oc 35] | Nurau | Hereditary | [33] | ||
Tararo Temaeva Ariki [oc 36] | Paruarangi | Hereditary | [32] | |||
Te Au Marae Ariki | Te Akatuira | Hereditary | [37] | |||
Mitiaro | Tou Travel Ariki | Nurau | Hereditary | [31] | ||
Tetava Poitirere Ariki | Paruarangi | Hereditary | [32] | |||
Temaeu Teikamata Ariki | 20 February 1985[38] | Te Akatuira | Hereditary | [32] | ||
Pukapuka | Aliki Makirai Henry | June 2022 | Pukapuka | Hereditary | [39] | |
Rarotonga | Makea Vakatini Phillip Ngamatoa Ariki | 20 July 2020 | Te Au o Tonga | Hereditary | [40] | |
George Taripo Karika Ariki | 13 December 2018 | Hereditary | [41] | |||
Vacant [oc 37] | 1994 | Hereditary | [42][43][44][45] | |||
Pa Tapaeru Marie Ariki [oc 38] | 27 June 1990 | Takitumu | Hereditary | [30] | ||
Kainuku Kapiriterangi Ariki | 6 May 2006 | Hereditary | [46] | |||
Tinomana Tokerau Ariki | 21 Nov 2013 | Puaikura [oc 39] | Hereditary | [30] |
Others
In Fiji, which became a colony of the United Kingdom in 1874, the British monarchs were historically bestowed the title Tui Viti, which translates as "King of Fiji" or "Paramount Chief of Fiji". The last holder of the title (from 6 February 1952) was Queen Elizabeth II, of the House of Windsor. The state became a republic in 1987, abolishing the title by establishing a new constitution. The former Great Council of Chiefs, however, still recognised Elizabeth II as Tui Viti, as the nation's traditional queen and its supreme tribal chief, despite no longer holding a constitutional office. Consequently, while Fiji remains a republic, a monarch or paramount chief is still recognised by traditional tribal politics. The Queen made no official claim to the Tui Viti throne, although until at least 2002, she remained open to the possibility of a constitutional restoration of the monarchy.[47]
Native chiefs in Fiji are considered members of the nobility. The House of Chiefs, consisting of about 70 chiefs of various rank determined by a loosely defined order of precedence, was modeled after the British House of Lords.[48] Tongan chiefs, subordinate to a king, are also considered nobles and have therefore been excluded from the above list.[49]
In American Samoa there are 14 paramount chiefs, with Manu'a traditionally subordinate to the Tu'i Manu'a, a title that is now considered purely historical; the last titleholder, Elisala, died 2 July 1909. The paramount chiefly titles are: on Tutuila, Faumuina, Lei'ato, Letuli, Fuimaono, Tuitele, Satele, Mauga, and in the Manu'a Islands, Laolagi, Aso'au, Lefiti, Sotoa, Galea'i, Misa and Tuiolosega.
See also
- Ethnarch
- Heads of former ruling families
- Imperial, royal and noble ranks
- List of current monarchs of sovereign states
- List of current reigning monarchs by length of reign
- List of monarchies
- Lists of monarchs
- Traditional authority
- List of current sovereign monarchs
- List of longest reigning current monarchs
Notes
North America
Oceania
- The government of the Marshall Islands recognises 12 chiefly domains, called mojen, each headed by one or several paramount chiefs. Each domain is represented in the Council of Iroij, an advisory body of traditional chiefs guaranteed by the Constitution.
- This chief is normally referred to as the Isipahu.
- The ruling line belongs specifically to the Inenkatau (or Upwutenmai) sept of the Dipwinpahnmei clan.
- This chief is normally referred to as the Sangiro.
- The ruling line belongs specifically to the Sounpasedo sept of the Lasialap clan.
- The throne of the grand chef on Maré Island is traditionally held by the chief of Guahma district, an hereditary position.
- Commonly referred to as the "Māori King Movement". Its elected ariki nui is often called the "Māori King" due to his nationalistic influence over all Māori tribes as a symbol of unity. This title is not officially recognised by the government of New Zealand.
- The monarch is appointed for life by the chiefs of the tribes involved in the Kīngitanga movement. Traditionally, selection is limited to direct descendants of the first king: Pōtatau I, of the Waikato tribe. However, in principle inheritance is open to any lineage should the electing chiefs be in agreement.
- Palau is divided into 16 traditional polities. The 16-seat Council of Chiefs, made up of the traditional chiefs from each constituent state, is an advisory body to the President. The chiefs of Koror and Melekeok, the highest chiefs from Eoueldaob and Babeldaob respectively, are recognised as the two paramount chiefs of the nation.
- This is not the name of the ruling house or clan: it is the ritual name used by the successive chiefs from this lineage.
- Chiefs are selected by the most senior women of the ruling clan.
- There are four paramount chiefs in Samoa, each presiding over a royal lineage (Tama a 'Āiga) of past kings. Chiefs are afforded considerable power. The national parliament, the Fono, is composed exclusively of chiefly titleholders (matai). The office of head of state (the O le Ao o le Malo) is traditionally reserved for the paramount chiefs, although this is not required by the Constitution.
- Tufuga Efi has held the chiefly title of Tui Atua Fa'asavali since 1 July 1983.
- Va'aletoa Sualauvi has been the head of state since 21 July 2017.
- The lineage associated with this title consists of three branches: Sa Moli, Sa Talavou and Sa Natuitasina (also spelled Gatuitasina). As the succession law dictates, heirs of all three branches are equally entitled to hold the title, and accession of an heir to the title is subject to nomination and consensus from all three branches. The most recent titleholders have been from the Moli sept.
- Funafuti's traditional chieftaincy is limited to senior members of two chiefly clans: Te Aliki a Mua, and Te Aliki a Muli. By custom, succession rotates between the two lineages.
- The high chief, or Pulefenua, is elected by a council of chiefs (the Fale Kaupule) from senior members of Nanumea's seven chiefly clans, all of which claim descent from the first settlers.
- The king is elected by a council of chiefs from the senior members of the kingdom's four chiefly clans.
- The king is elected by a council of chiefs from the senior members of the kingdom's three chiefly clans: the Tamole, the Keletaona, and the Safoka.
- Her full name is "Ada Teaupurepure Tetupu".
- The title is also often written as Whakaheo Ariki.
- Arikis of this line belong to either the Numatua or Tiangarotonga tribes.
- The throne of Te Faingaitu Ariki (alternatively Whaingaitu) is vacant. It is apparently disputed between members of the eligible tribes, but no information is available on the claimants.
- Arikis of this line belong to either the Heahiro or Mokopuwai tribes.
- Sources are unclear on the name of the current Tamuera Ariki (often written Samuela Ariki).
- His name is sometimes written "Te Maeva" or simply "Maeva".
- The Makea Nui Ariki is one of three high chiefs in the Te Au o Tonga tribe on Rarotonga. The previous ariki died in 1994, and her successor has yet to be agreed upon. Several members of the tribe claim rightful inheritance of the title. Succession is traditionally limited to the Rangi Makea clan; the three other clans of the tribe (Sadaraka, Mere and Upokotokoa) are considered junior branches. Mere Maraea MacQuarrie, the youngest daughter of the last ariki, is the only known claimant from the Rangi Makea clan, and is apparently the contender most likely to be granted the title. Other contenders include Stanley Adam Hunt, Yolande Browne, and Matapo Oti Oti, all of whom claim descent from the earlier arikis. The first of these, Hunt, was "invested" with the Makea Nui title under the regnal name "Takaia Tutavake"; the ceremony, which took place 16 May 2009, was not recognised by the government.
- Her full regnal name is "Tapaeru Teariki Upokotini Marie", most commonly known as "Pa Marie".
- There are three separate lineages eligible for the Puaikura Royalty, all of which descend from Tinomana Enuarurutini (ca. 1820–1854) the King of Puaikura and one of his three wives. They are (in order of seniority): Te Pori a Pa, Oakirangi, and Akaiti a Rua. The current Tinomana Ariki revert to the first and only married wive "Te Pori a Pa line".
References
Further reading
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