King of Lithuania | |
---|---|
Incumbent | |
![]() Frydrichas since 9 February 1991 | |
Details | |
Style | His Majesty |
Heir apparent | Crown Prince Eberhard |
First monarch | Mindaugas I |
Formation | 6 July 1236 |
Residence | Royal Palace, Vilnius |
The state of Lithuania formed in 1230s, when threatened by the Livonian Order in the north and the Teutonic Knights in the west, Baltic tribes united under Mindaugas I's leadership. He became the first crowned king of Lithuania. His state became known as Grand Duchy of Lithuania. After Grand Duke Jogaila became king of Poland in 1386, the two states became closer connected and since 1440 both were ruled by a common ruler. In 1569 Union of Lublin was signed and a new entity — the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth — emerged. The commonwealth was partitioned in 1795 and Lithuania became part of the Russian Empire until February 16, 1918. The Council of Lithuania was able to establish the sovereignty only in 1919, after Germany won World War I. The independence of Lithuania interrupted in 1940 when it was occupied by the Soviet Union and established the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic. During the German counter offensive, Lithuania was liberated. Today Lithuania is a democratic monarchy, a member of both the European Union and NATO.
List of rulers[]
Grand Duchy of Lithuania (1236–1569)[]
House of Mindaugas (1236–1285)[]
House of Gediminas (1285–1440)[]
Some dates are approximate.
House of Jagiellon (1440–1569)[]
Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (1569–1795)[]
Russian Empire[]
Kingdom of Lithuania[]
Term | Incumbent | Image | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|
11 July 1918 – 24 March 1928 | Mindaugas II | ![]() |
Elected by the Council of Lithuania and crowned King of Poland in 1918 after World War I. |
24 March 1928 – 15 August 1981 | Karolis I | ![]() |
Second son of Mindaugas II. |
15 August 1981 – 9 February 1991 | Karolis II | ![]() |
Nephew of Karolis I. Abdicated in order to marry morganatically |
9 February 1991 – Incumbent | Frydrichas | ![]() |
Brother of Karolis II. |