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Ranks of Nobility

Emperor & Empress

King & Queen

Archduke & Archduchess

Grand Duke & Grand Duchess

Prince & Princess

Infante & Infanta

Duke & Duchess

Marquess & Marchioness Marquis & Marquise

Margrave & Margravine

Count/Earl & Countess

Viscount & Viscountess

Baron & Baroness

Baronet & Baronetess Nobile, Edler von, panek Ritter, Erfridder

Hereditary Knight Black Knight, White Knight, Green Knight

Knight & Dame

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A crown and sceptre, the symbol of the power of a king

A king is a head of state, who may or may not, depending on the style of government of a nation, exercise monarchal powers over a nation, usually called a kingdom or a realm. A king is the second highest sovereign title, second to that of emperor. The female equivalent of king is queen; although the term "queen" may refer to one ruling as a monarch in her own right, a queen regnant, or to the wife of a king, a queen consort. A queen who becomes the reigning monarch because the king has died, has become debilitated, or is a minor, is known as a queen regent. The husband of a queen regnant is sometimes styled the king consort but is more commonly styled the prince consort. A king or queen may wear a crown or carry other regalia (symbols of office).

Historically the term "king" has been used for the rulers of very small peoples and territories.^{[citation needed]} Such a king (Sumerian lugal, Semitic sharrum, Latin rex, Greek basileus, Sanskrit raja, Germanic kuningaz) could be a tribal leader or chief, or the tyrant of a city state. Often, the king will not only have a political function, but the same time a religious one, acting as high priest or divine king.

Tribal leaders continue to be referred to as king also into the modern period, e.g. Maquinna, king of perhaps 2000 Nootka people in the early 20th century.

[edit] See also

• Category:King lists