Personal union

A personal union is a political union of two or more entities that, internationally, are considered separate states, but through established law, share the same head of state—hence also whatever political actions are vested in the head of state, but no (or very few) others. 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 (the constitutions of the states clearly express that they shall be joined together) or non-codified (in which case they can easily be broken by e.g. 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 their number during the 20th century, personal unions have become quite uncommon. Where they do exist, most notably between the Commonwealth Realms, they are now mostly ceremonial, as the Governor-General, in theory the representative of the Head of State, has only marginal political power, and is nominated by and has to take the advice of the local Head of Government.

There is a somewhat grey area between personal unions and federations, and the one has regularly grown into the other. 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 Urgell, Spain.)

Austria

Personal union with Hungary from 1867 to 1918 (the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary)

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 1490 - 1526 (Jagellon dynasty)
Personal union with Austria and Hungary 1526 - 1918 (except years 1619 - 1620)

Commonwealth Realms (current and former)

Warning about accuracy

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. The editors of Wikipedia have not been able to verify this assumption from an external source. You can help Wikipedia by finding a source for this assumption or by finding a source that specifies a different date.

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^*: 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 extra-territorial effect and the power to change their constitution (this is the assumption used below): South Africa and Irish Free State with the Statute of Westminster, New Zealand in 1947, Canada in 1982, Australia in 1986
when the right for British Parliament to make laws for the country 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 1986 upon the passage of the Australia Act which ended the requirement that amendments to Australia's constitution receive assent from the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Shares Elizabeth II as sovereign with 15 other current Commonwealth Realms.

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. 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.

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

From 1947, when it became a sovereign Commonwealth Realm to 1950 when it became a 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 (formerly known as dominions).

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 Westminister 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 1918.

Denmark

Personal union with Norway from 1380 to 1536 (when the Norwegian Riksdag was abolished)
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 (broken out of Denmark) to 1944

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 King of England, Scotland 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.

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. However, by the Treaty of Fredrikshamn Finland was legally a part of the Russian Empire that was granted autonomy at the sufferance of the Czar, and as a matter of fact 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.
Partial personal union with Andorra since 1607 (the French president is one of the Heads of State in Andorra)

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 the ascension of Queen Victoria to the British Crown took place in 1837 (as women were not eligible to be monarchs 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 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 (broken out of Denmark) to 1944 (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

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, 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 Luxembourg from 1815 to 1890.

Norway

Personal union with Sweden from 1319 to 1343
Personal union with Denmark from 1380 to 1536 (when the Norwegian Riksdag was abolished)
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.

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 the ascension of Queen Victoria to the British Crown took place in 1837 (as women were not eligible to be monarchs of Hanover)

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Commonwealth Realms (current and former)

Warning about accuracy

The Netherlands

Schleswig and Holstein

See also