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Worldwide
Guide to Women in Leadership
Royal Deputy Heads of
State
in the 20th and 21st Century
In many monarchies the
monarch has to appoint a relative whenever she or he is absent from the
country. This in effect have made a number of royal ladies deputy heads
of state. They are listed below. See also Reigning Queens and Empresses
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1897-1916
HM Somdetch
Phra Nang Chao Saovabha Phongsri Phra Baromma Rajini Nath
Sri Bajarindra of Thailand
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| Born
as HRH Princess Saovabha Phongrsi as daughter of King Mongkut (Rama
IV). She and two other sisters married their half-brother, King
Chulalongkorn (Rama V). In 1895 her son, Maha Vajiravudh became
crown-prince of Thailand and she was appointed Queen Regent (Rajini Nath) on 21
of March 1897, acting as regent on various occasions when the king was
abroad. She
had 9 children and lived (1864-1916) |
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1906-10
De facto Regent HIM Empress Taytu Betul of Ethiopia
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| Crowned Queen of Shewa in 1883. Itegé is the title of the
Empress-Consort. She acted as regent during her husband, Emperor
Menilek II's illness. She was very powerful, but still obtained
her husband's authorization for her decisions. She was removed
by a coup d'etat in 1910. Born as Walata Mikáel, she lived
(1853-1918) |
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1915-17
HIM Imperatitsa Alexandra Fyodorovna of the Russian Empire
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| The
Czarina was de-facto in charge of the government business during
her husband, Zar/Emperor Nicolai’s time as commander-in-chief
during World War I. But she obtained his endorsement of her decisions. In 1918 the whole family - including the four
daughters and son were executed during the revolution. She was
born as Princess Alix von Hessen und beim Rhein and lived
(1872-1918) |
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1921-25 Joint-Head of State Indlovukazi Labotsibeni Gwamile Ndluli laMvelase
of Swaziland (10.12-22.12) |
| Regent 1899-1921 until the
installation of her grand-son,
Sobhuza II, as king in 1921, but
remained deputy head of state until her death. (Died
1925) |
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1925-38
Joint Head of State The Ndlovukati Lomawa Nxumalo
Ndwandwe, Swaziland |
| Ndlovukati
means Queen Mother, The Great She-elephant. She was the mother of King
Sobhuza II,
and lived (1878-1938). |
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1928-29
and 1936 Counsellor of State HM Queen Mary of Teck of
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland |
| One of 6 Counselors of State appointed during the illness of her husband, King
Georges V of the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Emperor of India,
Defender of Faith, at the 4th of December 1928. It is not clear
for how long, but the king was ill until the summer of 1929, the
soon experienced a backlash until sometime in the beginning of
1930. She has been named possible regent by an act of
parliament in 1910. Mary was born as Princess of Teck and lived (1867-1953). |
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1937-52 Counsellor of State HM Queen Elizabeth of the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
1953-54 Senior Counsellor of State
1954-2002 Counsellor of State (HM The
Queen Mother) |
| First appointed Counsellor of State
during the visit abroad of her husband, King George VI
(1895-1936-52) in 1943 and again acted in 1944,
1951, 1953, 1957, 1963 and at least once a year for the rest of
her life. She acted Senior Counsellor of
State during her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II
and Prince Phillip's world tour. She later acted as Counsellor of
State on many occasions since. Born as Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon,
she lived (1900-2002). |
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1937-57 Counsellor of State HRH
The Princess Royal, Princess Mary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland, Countess of Harewood |
| Acted as ruling Counsellor in 1939, 1943, 1944, 1947, 1951, 1951,
1956 and 1957. She was the daughter
of George V and married to the 6th Earl of Harewood, Henry
Lascelles. During
King George VI's, Queen Elizabeth's, Princess Elizabeth's and
Princess Margaret's visit to South Africa in 1947, she was
appointed as one of the Counsellors of State - joint regents.
She was mother of two sons, and lived (1897-1965)
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1937-44 Counsellor of State HRH The Duchess of Fife, Princess
Alexandra Duff of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland |
| Appoited as ruling Counsellor in 1939, 1943, 1944 Alexandra
Duff, daughter of Princess Louise, The Princess Royal and 1st.
Duke of Fife, Earl MacDuff and Chief of the Clan of Fife, was
created a Princess in 1905 together with her sister, Princess
Maud. Alexandra was
married to her cousin HRH The Duke of Connaught, Prince Arthur,
former Governor-General of South Africa. He died in 1942, their
son was killed in 1942 and she was succeeded by her sister's
son. She lived (1891-1957)
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1938-57
Joint Head of State The Ndlovukati Nukwase Nxumalo
Ndwandwe, Swaziland |
| Married to one of king Sobhuza II's 12 uncles,
Prince Malunge Dlamini (1877-1915). She lived (1880-1957)
|
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1942-44 Counsellor of State HH Princess
Maud Duff of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland, Countess of Southeask |
| Princess
Maude only acted as ruling Counsellor once in 1943. She was the younger daughter of The Princess Royal and the
Duke of Fife, and was married to the 11th Earl of Southeask
(1893-1992). Her only son, James Carnagie, succeeded her sister as
3rd Duke of Fife. Maude was appointed as one of the Counsellors of State
during king George VI's visit to Africa, and lived (1893-1945)
|
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1944-42 Counsellor of State HRH Princess Elizabeth of United
Kingdom and Great Britain and Northern Ireland |
| One of the regents in
1944 during her father, Georg VI's stay
abroad and again in 1951. Upon his death in 1952 she succeeded him as Elizabeth
II, by the Grace of God of United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland and Her other Realms and Territories
Queen, Defender of the Faith, Head of the Commonwealth. (b.
1926-) |
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1946-68 Deputy Seigneur Jehanne Beaumont Bell
of Sark |
| The
youngest of Dame Sibyl Hathaway's six children, Jehanne was
appointed to act as her substitute during her absence in 1946.
In 1947 she was elected Deputy of the People on Chief Pleas. She
married in 1948. She retired from the post of Deputy Seigneur in
1968 due to ill health, but continued to take an interest in
Sark's affairs, advising the present Seigneur when he succeeded
on the death of La Dame in 1974, until her death. She lived
(1919-88).
|
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1950-circa
95 Temporary
Royal Regent HRH The Princess Mother, Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Boromarajajonani of Thailand |
| Sangwalya
Chrukamol was born as the daughter of a gold-smith. She was
married to Prince Mahidol of Songkhla, son of king Chulalongkorn
Rama V (1868-1910) by one of his 92 wifes. She was mother of
King Anadan Mahidol Rama VIII (1925-1935-1946) and of King Bhumibol
Adulyadej Rama IX (1927-1946-2016). She acted as regent on nine
different occasions during Bhumibols reign. She lived (2443-2538 or
1900-95) |
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1951-85
Counsellor of State HRH Princess Margaret of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland |
| As the
younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II, she acted as Counsellor of
State about once a year until her youngest nephew, Prince
Edward, turned 21. Among others Special Representative of the
Queen to the Independence Celebrations of Jamaica in 1962, Domenica and Tuvalu 1978 and of Antigua and Barbuda and of Saint
Christopher and Nevis in 1980. Divorced from Anthony
Armstrong-Jones, who was created 1st Earl of Snowdon, and mother of two
children. She lived (1930-2002) |
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1956-2016 HM Somdetch Pra Nang Chao Sirikit
Phra Baromma Rajini Nath of Thailand (22.10-07.12) |
| Her
title as "Queen Regent"" is also spelled Pomdej Phra Nangchao Sirikit Phra Boromarajininat
(สมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสิริกิติ์ พระบรมราชินีนาถ),
and she took the oath before Parliament as regent before the National Assembly, as her husband,
King Bhumibol undertook a period of service as a Buddhist monk
and was afterwards given the title of Queen Regent. She was born as H.H. Princess Mom Rajawong Sikrit
Kitiyakara - as a distant member of the royal family.
Mother of a son and three daughters. (b. 1932-)
|
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1957-75
Joint Head of State The Ndlovukati Zihlathi Ndwandwe of
Swaziland |
| Senior
wife of
King Sobhuza II. |
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1957-62/80 Counsellor of State HRH Princess Alexandra of Kent, of
the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland |
| The
daughter of Queen Elizabeth's late cousin, the Duke of Kent, she
acted as Counsellor of State during the minority of the closest
heirs to the throne, and among others special representative of
the Queen at the independence Celebrations of Nigeria in 1960 and
Saint Lucia 1979. Widow of Sir Angus Ogilvy
(1928-2004), and mother of two children. (b. 1936-) |
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1958-72
Deputy Head of State, HRH The Thronefollower, Princess Margrethe
of Denmark |
| At
her 18th birthday Princess Margrethe became a member of the
Council of State, signed a declaration that she would follow the
constitution, and acted as regent in the absence of her father,
King Frederik 9, until his death in 1972, when she succeeded him
as Queen Margrethe II.
(b. 1940-) |
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1965-
Temporary Rigsforstander HRH Princess Benedikte of Denmark |
| Became a member of the Council of State by the age of 21 and has
acted as regent (Rigsforstander) first in the place of her father and then for
her sister, Queen Margrethe 2, whey they were abroad -
alternating with Crown Prince Frederik and Prince Joachim of
Denmark, since they came of age. Princess Benedikte is the widow
of HH Prince Richard zu
Sayn- Wittgenstein-Berleburg (1934-2017). Mother of 3
children. (b. 1944-) |
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1965-2006
Temporary Regent H.M.Queen Halaevalu Mata’aho of Tonga
1998 (8.5-14.5) Queen Regnant
1999 (-30.4-) Queen Regnant
......... |
| Has
acted as regent on several occasions trough the reign of her
husband, king Taf’ahau Toupu IV (1918-65-2006), when he was aboard. Born as
Princess Halaevalu Mata'aho Ahomee. She lived (1926-2017). |
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1966-2003 The Mofumahali HM Queen ‘MaMohato Thabita 'Masente
Lerotholi Mojela of Lesotho |
In 1970 she was the regent for her son who was installed as king in place
of her husband, King Moshoeshoe II, who was deposed during
military coup d'etats in 1970 and 1990 and killed in a car-crash,
and she took over the regency until her son was re-installed as
king David Mahato
Berng Seeiso Letsie III. He was also king 1970
and 1988-90. From 1996 she was known as Queen Mother Mamohato
II. She
continued as Deputy Head of State until 2001, when she retired
from the duty, though she continued to be of aid and be a guide
to her son and daughter-in-law, the King and Queen
until her death. She lived
(1938-2003). |
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1971-2003
Counsellor of State HRH The Princess Royal, Princess Anne of
United Kingdom and Great Britain and Northern Ireland |
| Acted as
ruling Counsellor about once a year until her nephew, Prince
William of Wales, turned 21. 1996 she was Lord High
Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
as her mother's personal representative, 1999
she was appointed to the ceremonial position of Gold Stick-in-Waiting. Only daughter of Queen Elizabeth, married twice and mother of two children. (b. 1950-) |
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1972-2000
Temporary Rigsforstander HM Queen Ingrid of Denmark |
| As the
first Danish Dowager Queen ever, she became member of the Council of
State and able to act as regent when her daughter, Queen
Margrethe was abroad. After her grand-children Crown Prince
Frederik and Prince Joachim came of age, she was not regent so
often, but she continued to act as regent when both her two
daughters and the princes were abroad. Queen Ingrid was born as Princess of Sweden and married Crown Prince Frederik
in 1935. He was king (1947-72). She lived (1910-2000) |
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1975-81
Joint Head of State The Ndlovukati Seneleleni Ndwandwe of
Swaziland |
| Married
to King Sobhuza II. |
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1977-
HRH the Royal Princess, Somdetceh Phra Debaratanarajasuda Chao Fa
Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand (5.12-) |
| Second daughter of King Bhumibol Adulyadej Rama IX. Has acted as
regent on several occasions - in 1997 for example she averted a military coup
d’etat during her fathers illness. She was one of his closest advisors. In 1996 she was appointed General, Admiral and
Air Chief-Marshall.
Her full title is Somdej Phra Debratanarajasuda Chao Fa
Chakri Sirindhorn Rathasimagunakornpiyajat
Sayamboromrajakumri (or
Som det phra thep phra rat raat cha su daa Chao fa Maha
Chakri Sirindhorn Ratha si ma ku na korn pi ya chat Siam ba rom ma raat cha ku
maa ree (สมเด็จพระเทพรัตนราชสุดา
เจ้าฟ้ามหาจักรีสิรินธร รัฐสีมาคุณากรปิยชาติ สยามบรมราชกุมารี)). (b. 1955-) |
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1981-85 Queen Mother Indlovukazi Dzeliwe
Shongwe of Swaziland
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Senior wife of King Sobhuza II, and Queen Mother (The Indovukazi, the Great She-Elephant)
1981-85
until the title was removed from her. She had been regent
of the Kingdom 1982-84. (b. circa 1927-) |
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1986- Joint Head of State, Queen Mother, the
Indovukazi Ntombi laTfwala of Swaziland |
Emakhosikati
(Queen) Ntombi was one of the youngest
wifes of Sobhuza II, and mother of the future king, and Queen Regent 1983-86. She got the title of Queen Mother
Indlovukazi in 1985. As
Queen Mother she was also
co-Chairperson of the Swazi National Council the Libandla,
together with the king.(b. circa 1950-) |
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1988 Princess Regent HRH Princess Salote Mafile'o Pilolevu Tuita of
Tonga (August)
.......
1998
Princess Regent (January)
1999 Princess Regent (July)
2001 Princess Regent (September-November)
......
2005 Princess Regent (August-September)
2006 Princess Regent (April)
2006 Princess Regent (May-June)
2007-08 (November-January)
2008 Princess Regent (May-June and November)
2009 Princess Regent (August, October)
2010 Princess Regent (October-November)
2011 Princess Regent
(January-February) |
| As the
only daughter of King Taf’ahau Toupu IV (1918-65-2006), Princess Pilolevu is traditionally the highest ranking
person in Tonga (Higher than the king) with the traditional
title of Tamaha. She is also a business
woman and was appointed regent for the first time in January 1998
during a period where both her parents and brother, the crown
prince were absent from the country, and has acted on numerous occasions since, in 2001 accepting the resignation of the Prime
Minister and in June 2006 delivering the Speech from the Throne in
the absence of her father, in May 2009 and January 2011 in the
absence of her brother, King George Tupou V (2006-12). Her
brother, Tupou VI, abolished the regency after his accession in
2012. Married to a second cousin
and the mother of 4 daughters and an adopted son. (b. 1951-) |
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1992-2014
Deputy Seigneur
Beatrice Caroline Bell, Sark (Dependency of the British Crown)
|
| 1988-2000
President of the Public Health, Sea Fisheries and Pilotage Committees.
She was Member of Chief Pleas as tenant of L'Ecluse on the death of her
mother, the former Deputy Seigneur Jehanne Bell. After she retired from
the Chief Pleas 2002 she continues as Deputy Seigneur sitting in
Chief Pleas in the absence of the Seigneur. She lived (1948-2014). |
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1997-
Deputy Head of State, HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden |
| Also
Duchess of Västergötland. On
her 18th birthday the 14th of June the crown Princess swore the
oath on the constitution and was inaugurated as Vicestatschef. (b. 1979-) |
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2000-
Assistant Deputy Head of State HRH Princess Madeleine of Sweden |
| Also
Duchess of Hälsingland och Gästrikland. She is the youngest
child of King Carl
XVI Gustaf, and she acts as regent in the absence of her elder sister
and brother, Prince Carl Philip (b. 1979). She is born (b.
1982-) |
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2001-
Temporary Regent HM Queen Karabo Mohato Bereng Seeiso of Lesotho
|
| At
16th of January she was sworn in for the first time
as regent by the chief justice about a year after she married
King Letsie III, and has acted regent and Deputy Head of State
on various occasions since then. She continues her biology-studies by correspondence.
(b. 1976-) |
Last update 17.03.17
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