(Redirected from Common monarch)A 'personal union' is a relationship of two or more entities that are considered separate, sovereign
states, which, through established law, share the same person as their respective
head of state. It is not to be confused with a
federation, which internationally is considered as a single
state.
Personal unions can arise for very different reasons, ranging from near coincidence (a princess who is already married to a king becomes pregnant, and their child inherits the crown of both countries) to virtual
annexation (where a personal union sometimes was seen as a means of preventing uprisings). They can also be
codified (i.e. the constitutions of the states clearly express that they shall share the same person as head of state) or non-codified, in which case they can easily be broken (e.g. by different succession rules).
Because
presidents of
republics are ordinarily chosen from within the
citizens of the state in question, personal unions are almost entirely a phenomenon of
monarchies, and sometimes the term ''dual monarchy'' is used to signify a personal union between two monarchies. With the decline of monarchies during the
20th century, personal unions have become quite uncommon. Where they do exist is most notably between the
Commonwealth Realms
[1][2], where, beyond the
United Kingdom, the
Governor-General is the
vice-regal representative of the Monarch.
There is a somewhat grey area between personal unions and federations, and the first has regularly grown into the second. This article is an attempt at listing some historical and contemporary personal unions.
Andorra
★ ''Partial'' personal union with
France since
1607 (the French president, and formerly the king of France, is one of the Heads of State in Andorra, the other co-head of state is the
Bishop of La Seu d'Urgell,
Catalonia,
Spain.)
Bohemia
★ Personal union with Poland 1003 - 1004 (Bohemia occupied by Poles)
★ Personal union with Poland 1300 - 1306 and Hungary 1301 - 1305 (Wenceslas II and Wenceslas III)
★ Personal union with Luxembourg 1313 - 1378 and 1383 - 1388
★ Personal union with Hungary 1419-1439 (Sigismund of Luxemburg and his son in law) and 1490 - 1526 (Jagellon dynasty)
★ Personal union with Austria and Hungary 1526 - 1918 (except years 1619 - 1620)
Brandenburg
★ Personal union with the
Duchy of Prussia from 1618, when
Albert Frederick, Duke of Prussia died without male heirs and his son in law
John Sigismund, Elector of Brandenburg became ruler of both countries. Brandenburg and Prussia maintained separate governments and seats of power in
Berlin and
Königsberg respectively until 1701, when
Frederick William I consolidated them into one government.
Commonwealth Realms (current and former)
The assumption is made in this section that Commonwealth realms came into personal union with the United Kingdom at the time they were given complete freedom to legislate for themselves.
Other possible dates that personal union could claim to have come about are:
★ when colonies were granted
Dominion status: Canada in 1867, Australia in 1901, New Zealand in 1907, South Africa in 1910
★ when the Governor became a Governor-General: as above for all except New Zealand (1917)
★ informally, as a result of the
Balfour Declaration 1926
★ implicitly, as a result of the
Royal and Parliamentary Titles Act 1927
★ when a High Commissioner was appointed to represent the British Government instead of the Governor or Governor-General
[1]: Canada 1928, South Africa 1930, Australia 1931-6, New Zealand 1939, Irish Free State 1939. It
appears that the Governor-General of the Irish Free State stopped representing the British government in 1928 but that an alternative official was not appointed until 1939.
★ with the
Statute of Westminster 1931
★ when it was inadvertently demonstrated by the
Irish Free State that succession laws could be different in each dominion (the
abdication of Edward VIII, 1936)
★ when a country gained both the power to make laws with extraterritorial effect and the power to change their constitution (this is the assumption used below): South Africa and the Irish Free State with the Statute of Westminster, New Zealand in 1947, Canada in 1982, Australia in 1986
★ when the power of the
Parliament of the United Kingdom to make laws for the Commonwealth realm in question was removed: Canada in 1982, Australia in 1986, New Zealand in 1986
★ when the right of appeal to the
Judicial Committee of the Privy Council was removed: Canada in 1949, Australia in 1986, New Zealand (but not the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau) in 2004
Antigua and Barbuda
★ Since
1981 upon obtaining independence as a
Commonwealth Realm. In personal union sharing
Queen Elizabeth II as head of state with other Commonwealth realms (formerly known as
dominions).
Australia
★ Since
1941, upon the ratification of the Westminster Statute in 1942 - which ended the
British Parliament's ability to legislate for Australia. The Australia Act of 1986, amongst other things, removed the Privy Council as the last court of Appeal in the Australian Judicial System.
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom serves, independently, as Queen of Australia, through her Vice-Regal Representative, the Governor-General, nominated by the Prime Minister.
Bahamas
★ Since
1973 upon independence from the
United Kingdom as a
Commonwealth realm. In personal union sharing
Queen Elizabeth II as head of state with 15 other current Commonwealth realms.
Barbados
★ Since
1966 upon independence from the
United Kingdom as a
Commonwealth realm. In personal union sharing
Queen Elizabeth II as head of state with 15 other current Commonwealth realms.
Belize
★ Since
1981 upon independence from the
United Kingdom as a
Commonwealth realm. In personal union sharing
Queen Elizabeth II as head of state with 15 other current Commonwealth realms.
Canada
★ Since
1982 upon the
British parliament's passage of the
Canada Act which ended its role in passing Canadian constitutional amendments, Canada shares
Elizabeth II as sovereign with 15 other current
Commonwealth realms.
Ceylon
★ (now
Sri Lanka) as a
Commonwealth realm from
1948–
1972 (when it became a republic).
Fiji
★ As a
Commonwealth realm from
1970–
1987 (independence to military coup).
Gambia
★ As a
Commonwealth realm from
1965–
1970 (independence to republic).
Ghana
★ As a
Commonwealth realm from
1957–
1960 (independence to republic).
Grenada
★ Since
1974 upon independence from the
United Kingdom as a
Commonwealth realm. In personal union sharing
Queen Elizabeth II as head of state with 15 other current Commonwealth realms.
Guyana
★ As a
Commonwealth realm from
1966–
1970 (independence to republic).
India
★ As a
Commonwealth realm from
1947-
1950 (independence to republic).
Ireland
★ Personal union with the
Kingdom of England from 1541, when the
Irish Parliament proclaimed King
Henry VIII of
England to be also
King of Ireland, to 1707 when the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland both united by the
Treaty of Union and were replaced by the Kingdom of Great Britain.
★ Personal union with the
Kingdom of Scotland from 1603, when King
James VI of
Scotland became King of England and King of Ireland to 1707, when the kingdom of England and the kingdom of Scotland united and were replaced by the Kingdom of Great Britain.
★ Personal union with the
Kingdom of Great Britain from 1707 to 1800 when the two kingdoms were merged into the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
★ Personal union with
Hanover from 1714 to 1800.
★ As a
Commonwealth realm from
1922-
1936/
1949, when it became a
republic (see
Irish head of state from 1936-1949.
Jamaica
★ Since
1962 upon independence from the
United Kingdom as a
Commonwealth realm. In personal union sharing
Queen Elizabeth II as head of state with 15 other current Commonwealth realms.
Kenya
★ As a
Commonwealth realm from
1963–
1964 (independence to republic).
Malawi
★ As a
Commonwealth realm from
1964–
1966 (independence to republic).
Malta
★ As a
Commonwealth realm from
1964–
1974 (independence to republic).
Mauritius
★ As a
Commonwealth realm from
1968–
1992 (independence to republic).
New Zealand
★ Since
1947 upon adoption of ''The New Zealand Constitution (Amendment) Act 1947''. In personal union sharing
Queen Elizabeth II as head of state with 15 other current
Commonwealth realms.
Nigeria
★ As a
Commonwealth realm from
1960–
1963 (independence to republic).
Pakistan
★
Commonwealth realm from
1947–
1956 (independence from British India to republic).
Papua New Guinea
★ Since
1975 upon independence from
Australia as a
Commonwealth realm. In personal union sharing
Queen Elizabeth II as head of state with 15 other current Commonwealth realms.
Saint Kitts and Nevis
★ Since
1983, upon independence from the
United Kingdom as a
Commonwealth realm. In personal union sharing
Queen Elizabeth II as head of state with 15 other current Commonwealth realms.
Saint Lucia
★ Since
1979 upon independence from the
United Kingdom as a
Commonwealth realm. In personal union sharing
Queen Elizabeth II as head of state with 15 other current Commonwealth realms.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
★ Since
1979 upon independence from the
United Kingdom as a
Commonwealth realm. In personal union sharing
Queen Elizabeth II as head of state with 15 other current Commonwealth realms.
Sierra Leone
★ As a
Commonwealth realm from
1961–
1971 (independence to republic).
Solomon Islands
★ Since
1978 upon independence from the
United Kingdom as a
Commonwealth realm. In personal union sharing
Queen Elizabeth II as head of state with 15 other current Commonwealth realms.
South Africa
★ As a
Commonwealth realm from
1931-
1961 (adoption of
Statute of Westminster to republic).
Tanganyika
★ (now part of
Tanzania)
Commonwealth realm from
1961–
1962 (independence to republic).
Trinidad and Tobago
★
Commonwealth realm from
1962–
1976 (independence to republic).
Tuvalu
★ Since
1978, through independence from the
United Kingdom as a
Commonwealth realm. In personal union sharing
Queen Elizabeth II as head of state with 15 other current Commonwealth realms.
Uganda
★
Commonwealth realm from
1962–
1963 (independence to republic).
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
★ In personal union sharing
Queen Elizabeth II as head of state with 15 other current
Commonwealth realms.
Congo Free State
★ Personal union with
Belgium from
1885 to
1908, when it became a Belgian colony.
Croatia
★ Personal union with
Hungary from
1102 to
1300 and
1307 to
1526
★ Personal union with
Austria from
1527 to
1918
Denmark
★ Personal union with
Norway from
1380 to
1814 (the Norwegian
Riksråd was abolished in
1536)
★ The
Kalmar Union with
Norway and
Sweden from
1389 to
1521 (sometimes defunct)
★ The kings of Denmark at the same time being dukes of
Schleswig and
Holstein 1460-
1864. (Holstein being part of the
Holy Roman Empire, now part of
Germany)
★ Personal union with
Iceland from
1918 to
1944 when Iceland became a republic
England
★ Personal union with
Ireland from
1541 (when Ireland was raised to the level of a kingdom) to
1707
★ Personal union with
Scotland from
1603 to
1707 (when they were joined together in the
Kingdom of Great Britain)
★ Personal union with the
Netherlands from
1689 to
1702, with the
Dutch Stadtholder also serving as the King of England, Scotland and Ireland.
The actual situation was slightly more complex with the Dutch provinces
Holland,
Zeeland,
Utrecht,
Gelderland and
Overijssel entering into personal union in
1689 and
Drenthe in
1696. Only 2 Dutch provinces never entered into the personal union:
Friesland and
Groningen.
Finland
★ The status of the
Grand Duchy of Finland, ruled from
1809 to
1917 by the
Czar of
Russia as the
Grand Duke of Finland, closely resembled a personal union and is often described as such by Finns. In accordance with the
Treaty of Fredrikshamn Finland was legally a part of the
Russian Empire that was granted
autonomy at the sufferance of the Czar, the autonomous status was
temporarily repealed later on.
France
★ Personal union with the Duchy of Brittany from
1491, when Duchess
Anne of Brittany married King
Charles VIII of France under duress, to
1532 when the Duchy of Brittany was formally annexed to the Kingdom of France.
★ Personal union with
Navarre from
1589 to
1620, when Navarre was formally integrated into France.
★ ''Partial'' personal union with
Andorra since
1607 (the French president is one of the Heads of State in Andorra)
Note: The point at issue in the
War of the Spanish Succession was the fear that the succession to the Spanish throne dictated by Spanish law, which would devolve on
Louis, ''le Grand dauphin'' — already heir to the throne of France — would create a personal union that would upset the European
balance of power (France had the most powerful military in Europe at the time, and Spain the largest empire).
Great Britain
★ Personal union with
Ireland from
creation in
1707 to
abolition in
1801 (when they were joined together in the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland)
★ Personal union with
Hanover from the accession of
George I in
1714 to
abolition in
1801
Hanover
★ Personal union with
Great Britain and
Ireland from
1714 to
1801
★ Personal union with the
United Kingdom from
1801 to
1837, when differing succession laws resulted in
Queen Victoria ascending the British throne and her uncle
Ernest Augustus that of Hanover.
Holy Roman Empire
★ Personal union with
Spain from
1519 to
1556 under
Charles V.
Hungary
★ Personal union with
Croatia from
1102 to
1918.
★ Personal union with
Poland from
1370 to
1382 under the reign of
Louis the Great. This period in Polish history is sometimes known as the ''
Andegawen Poland''. Louis inherited the Polish throne from his maternal uncle
Casimir III. After Louis' death the Polish nobles (the ''
szlachta'') decided to end the personal union, since they didn't want to be governed from Hungary, and chose Louis' younger daughter
Jadwiga as their new ruler, while Hungary was inherited by his elder daughter
Mary. Personal union with Poland in the second time from 1440 to 1444.
★ Personal union with Bohemia from 1419 to 1439 and from 1490 to 1918
★ Personal union with the Holy Roman Empire from 1410 to 1439 and from 1526 to 1806 (except 1608-1612)
★ Personal union with
Austria from
1867 to
1918 (the ''
dual monarchy'' of
Austria-Hungary) under the reigns of
Franz Joseph and
Charles IV (in fact it was rather a dynastic union, not a personal union.)
Iceland
★ Personal union with
Denmark from
1918 to
1944 when the country became republic.
Ireland
★ Personal union with
England from
1541 (when the Irish Parliament proclaimed King Henry VIII of England, King of Ireland) to
1707 (upon the formation of Great Britain).
★ Personal union with
Scotland (and England) from
1603 to
1707 (when England and Scotland were joined together in the
Kingdom of Great Britain)
★ Personal union with the
Netherlands from
1689 to
1702, with the King of Ireland, Scotland and England also serving as Stadtholder of most of the provinces of the Netherlands. The actual situation was slightly more complex with the Dutch provinces
Holland,
Zeeland,
Utrecht,
Gelderland and
Overijssel entering into personal union in
1689 and
Drenthe in
1696. Only 2 Dutch provinces never entered into the personal union:
Friesland and
Groningen.
★ Personal union with
Great Britain from
1707 to
1801 (when they were joined together in the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland).
★ Personal union with
Hanover from
1714 to
1801.
★ Personal union with the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) from
1922 to
1937/
1949 (see
Irish head of state from 1936-1949).
Lithuania
★ Personal union with
Poland from
1386 to
1569 - the
Polish-Lithuanian Union. In 1569 transformed into a federation of the
Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
Luxembourg
★ Personal union with the
Netherlands from
1815 to
1890
==
Navarre==
★ Personal union with
France from
1589 to
1620, when Navarre was formally integrated into France.
The Netherlands
★ Personal union with
England,
Scotland and
Ireland from
1689 to
1702, with the
Stadtholder of most of the provinces of the Netherlands also serving as King of England, Scotland and Ireland. The actual situation was slightly more complex with the Dutch provinces
Holland,
Zeeland,
Utrecht,
Guelders and
Overijssel entering into personal union in
1689 and
Drenthe in
1696. Only 2 Dutch provinces never entered into the personal union:
Friesland and
Groningen.
★ Personal union with
Luxembourg from
1815 to
1890.
Norway
★ Personal union with
Sweden from
1319 to
1343
★ Personal union with
Denmark from
1380 to
1814 (the Norwegian Riksråd was abolished in
1536)
★ The
Kalmar Union with
Denmark and
Sweden from
1389 to
1521 (sometimes defunct)
★ Personal union with
Sweden from
1814 (when Norway declared independence from Denmark and was forced into a
union with Sweden) to
1905
Poland
★ Personal union with Hungary from
1370 to
1382 and
1440 to
1444(see
Hungary section above)
★ Personal union with
Lithuania from
1386 to
1569 known as the
Polish-Lithuanian Union. In 1569 the union was transformed into a federation of the
Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
★ Eastern part: Personal union with Russia from
1814 to
1832, known as
Congress Poland; following the suppression of a popular revolt, the territory was annexed outright by Russia.
Poland-Lithuania
★ Personal union with
Sweden from
1592 to
1599
★ Personal union with
Saxony from
1697 to
1705,
1709 to
1733 and 1733 to
1763
Portugal
★
Iberian Union with
Spain from
1580 to
1640 (under
Philip II of Spain, his
son and
grandson)
Romania
★ Personal union between
Wallachia and
Transylvania from 1599 to 1600 under the rule of
Michael the Brave
★ Personal union between
Wallachia,
Moldavia and
Transylvania from 1600 to 1601 under the rule of
Michael the Brave
★ Personal union between
Wallachia and
Moldavia from 1859 to 1862 under the rule of
Alexander John Cuza
Schleswig and Holstein
''Duchies with peculiar rules for
succession.''
★ The kings of
Denmark at the same time being dukes of Schleswig and Holstein
1460-
1864. (Holstein being part of the
Holy Roman Empire)
Scotland
★ Personal union with
England and
Ireland from
1603 to
1707 (when England and Scotland were joined together in the
Kingdom of Great Britain)
★ Personal union with the
Netherlands from 1689 to 1702, with the King of Scotland, England and Ireland also serving as Stadtholder of most of the provinces of the Netherlands. The actual situation was slightly more complex with the Dutch provinces
Holland,
Zeeland,
Utrecht,
Gelderland and
Overijssel entering into personal union in
1689 and
Drenthe in
1696. Only 2 Dutch provinces never entered into the personal union:
Friesland and
Groningen.
Spain
★ Personal union with the
Holy Roman Empire from
1519 to
1556 under
Charles I (Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor)
★
Iberian Union with
Portugal from
1580 to
1640 (under
Philip II of Spain, his
son and
grandson)
Sweden
''Main article:
Unions of Sweden''
★ Personal union with
Norway from
1319 to
1343
★ The
Kalmar Union with
Denmark and
Norway from
1389 to
1521 (sometimes defunct)
★ Personal union with
Poland-Lithuania from
1592 to
1599
★ Personal union with
Norway from
1814 to
1905 (sometimes called
Sweden-Norway)
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
★ Personal union with
Hanover from
1801 to
1837, when differing succession laws resulted in
Queen Victoria ascending the British throne and her uncle
Ernest Augustus that of Hanover.
Vatican City / Holy See
★ Technically speaking, the
Vatican City and the
Holy See form a personal union in the sense that they are two separate sovereign entities under international law and administered by separate organs, with the
Pope as the head of both. For the
Vatican City, it is governed by the
Pope through the
Governor of Vatican City appointed by him.
References
1. The Status of the British Commonwealth in International Law, P. E. Corbett, , , The University of Toronto Law Journal,
2. The End of Dominion Status, F. R. Scott, , , The American Journal of International Law,
See also
★
Union (disambiguation)
★
Dynastic union
★
Political union
★
Real union
★
Constituent country
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