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     Absolute monarchies      Semi-constitutional monarchies      Parliamentary constitutional monarchies      Commonwealth realms (parliamentary monarchies in personal union)      Subnational monarchies

The crown of King Louis XV of France. Crowns are a popular symbol of the office of a monarch

A monarchy is a kind of government where a monarch, a kind of hereditary ruler (someone who inherits their office), is the head of state. Monarchs usually rule until they die or pass down (when a monarch resigns it is called abdication). Most monarchies are hereditary, but some are elected. The most famous elected monarch is the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Some well known titles for monarchs are King, Queen, Emperor, Empress, Czar, Kaiser, Shah, Emir, Khan and Sultan.