Personal union

From Freepedia

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 none (or at least extremely few) others. It is not to be confused with a federation (like the United States), 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 a queen regnant, 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. 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.

1 Albania
2 Andorra
3 Antigua and Barbuda
4 Australia
5 Austria
6 Bahamas
7 Barbados
8 Belize
9 Canada
10 Ceylon
11 Croatia
12 Denmark
13 England
14 Ethiopia
15 Fiji
16 France
17 Gambia
18 Ghana
19 Great Britain
20 Grenada
21 Guyana
22 Hanover
23 Holy Roman Empire
24 Hungary
25 Iceland
26 India
27 Ireland
28 Italy
29 Jamaica
30 Kenya
31 Lithuania
32 Luxembourg
33 Malta
34 Mauritius
35 The Netherlands
36 New Zealand
37 Nigeria
38 Norway
39 Pakistan
40 Papua New Guinea
41 Poland
42 Poland-Lithuania
43 Portugal
44 Saint Kitts and Nevis
45 Saint Lucia
46 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
47 Schleswig and Holstein
48 Scotland
49 Sierra Leone
50 Solomon Islands
51 Spain
52 Sweden
53 Tanganyika
54 Trinidad and Tobago
55 Tuvalu
56 Uganda
57 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
58 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
59 Vatican City and Holy See
60 See also

Albania

Personal union (not universally recognized) with Italy from 1939 to 1946 (when republic was proclaimed)
Personal union (not universally recognized) with Ethiopia from 1939 to 1941

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)

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.

Austria

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

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 1961 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).

Croatia

Personal union with Hungary from 1102 to 1526.

Denmark

Personal union with Norway from 1380 to 1536 (when Norway was officially incorporated into the Danish kingdom, often called Denmark-Norway)
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)
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 and Utrecht entering into personal union in 1672, Gelderland and Overijssel in 1675 and Drenthe in 1696. Only 2 Dutch provinces never entered into the personal union: Friesland and Groningen.

Ethiopia

Personal union (not universally recognized) with Italy from 1936 to 1941
Personal union (not universally recognized) with Albania from 1939 to 1941

Fiji

As a Commonwealth Realm from 1970–1987 (independence to military coup).

France

Personal union with the Duchy of Britanny 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)

Gambia

As a Commonwealth Realm from 1965–1970 (independence to republic).

Ghana

As a Commonwealth Realm from 1957–1960.

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

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).

Hanover

Personal union with Great Britain and Ireland from 1714 to 1801
Personal union with the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1837

Holy Roman Empire

Personal union with Spain from 1519 to 1556 under Charles V.

Hungary

Personal union with Croatia from 1102 to 1526.
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).

India

From 1947, when it became a sovereign Commonwealth Realm to 1950 when it became a republic.

Ireland

Personal union with England from 1541 (raised to the level of a kingdom) to 1707
Personal union with Scotland from 1603 to 1707
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 and Utrecht entering into personal union in 1672, Gelderland and Overijssel in 1675 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

Italy

Personal union (not universally recognized) with Ethiopia from 1936 to 1941
Personal union (not universally recognized) with Albania from 1939 to 1946

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).

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

Malta

As a Commonwealth Realm from 1964–1974 (independence to republic).

Mauritius

As a Commonwealth Realm from 1968–1992 (independence to republic).

The Netherlands

Personal union with England, Scotland and Ireland from 1672 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 and Utrecht entering into personal union in 1672, Gelderland and Overijssel in 1675 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.

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).

Norway

Personal union with Sweden from 1319 to 1343
Personal union with Denmark from 1380 to 1536 (when Norway was officially incorporated into the Danish kingdom, often called Denmark-Norway)
The Kalmar Union with Denmark and Sweden from 1389 to 1521 (sometimes defunct)
Personal union with Sweden from 1814 to 1905 (when Norway was ceded from Denmark and entered into a union with Sweden, sometimes called Sweden-Norway)

Pakistan

Commonwealth Realm from 1947–1956 (independence from 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.

Poland

Personal union with Hungary from 1370 to 1382 (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

Portugal

Iberian Union with Spain from 1580 to 1640 (under Philip II of Spain, his son and grandson)

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.

Schleswig and Holstein

Duchies with peculiar rules for succession.

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 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 and Utrecht entering into personal union in 1672, Gelderland and Overijssel in 1675 and Drenthe in 1696. Only 2 Dutch provinces never entered into the personal union: Friesland and Groningen.

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.

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)
1460 to 1864 parts or all of the duchies in personal union with Denmark.

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)

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.