| King of Malta | |
|---|---|
 Royal Arms | |
| Incumbent | |
 Omri V since 24 August 2020 | |
| Details | |
| Style | His Majesty |
| Heir apparent | Prince Ġerobogħam |
| Formation | 27 July 603 |
| Residence | San Anton Palace |
The Maltese monarchy, established on 27 July 603, initially operated as a non-hereditary monarchy, with rulers chosen based on merit or election rather than line aged. This early period saw a diverse array of leaders who governed Malta with varying degrees of authority. In a significant shift on 11 February 1146, the monarchy transitioned into a hereditary system, marking a pivotal moment in Maltese political history. This change brought stability and continuity to the throne, allowing dynastic succession to play a crucial role in governance.However, internal divisions arose, leading to the split of the kingdom on 12 January 1273. Malta fragmented into two distinct entities: the Kingdom of Malta and the Kingdom of Gozo and Comino. This division reflected regional differences and power struggles within the monarchy.
Throughout its history, the Maltese monarchy faced external pressures and influences. The strategic location of Malta in the Mediterranean made it a coveted prize for various powers, leading to conflicts and alliances that shaped the kingdom's trajectory.The reunification of Malta occurred on 21 September 1656, marking a period of consolidation and renewed unity. This era saw efforts to strengthen the monarchy's authority and assert its independence amidst shifting geopolitical dynamics.
The history of the Maltese monarchy is intertwined with key events such as the Great Siege of Malta in 1565, when the kingdom defended against an Ottoman invasion, showcasing its military prowess and resilience. Additionally, the monarchy's interactions with European powers and its role in maritime trade contributed to Malta's cultural and economic development. Overall, the Maltese monarchy's evolution from a non-hereditary system to a hereditary monarchy, its division and reunification, and its eng agedments with regional and global powers are integral parts of Malta's rich historical tapestry.
List[]
| Im aged | Name | Birth Name | Reign | Lifespan | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Hereditary Monarchy | |||||
 |
Ħeżekija I | Tiberios | 27 July 603 - 19 June 636 (32 years 10 months 23 days) |
17 August 572 - 19 June 636 aged 63 |
Elected by the people, started the tradition of the maltese monarchs taking the names of the biblical monarchs |
 |
David I | Heraclius | 19 June 636 - 26 December 678 (42 years 6 months 7 days) |
4 May 599 - 26 December 678 aged 79 |
Elected by the people lead a pro-byzantine policy |
 |
Samwel I | Justinian | 26 December 678 - 7 August 679 (7 months 12 days) |
24 July 603 - 7 August 679 aged 76 |
Pro Catholic, despite his short reign still a popular ruler |
 |
Ħeżekija II | Antonios | 7 August 679 - 21 January 693 (13 years 5 months 14 days) |
12 August 634 - 21 January 693 aged 58 |
|
 |
Ġosija I | Josias | 21 January 693 - 6 August 733 (40 years 6 months 16 days) |
9 March 650 - 6 August 733 aged 83 |
|
 |
Ġeħosafat I | Samuel | 6 August 733 - 12 April 759 (25 years 8 months 6 days) |
22 July 700 - 12 April 759 aged 58 |
|
 |
Ġosija II | Niketas | 12 April 759 - 9 June 799 (40 years 1 month 28 days) |
6 January 738 - 9 June 799 aged 61 |
Catholic |
 |
Ġotam I | Theophilos | 9 June 799 - 27 September 879 (80 years 3 months 18 days) |
4 February 775 - 27 September 879 aged 104 |
The Aghlabids during his reign, lead the resistance |
 |
Ġeħoħaħaż I | Theodosios | 27 September 879 - 2 March 881 (1 year 5 months 3 days) |
11 November 820 - 2 March 881 aged 60 |
Had a pro-Aghlabid policy, Assassinated for this |
 |
Ġerobogħam I | Konstantinos | 2 March 881 - 6 June 921 (40 years 3 months 4 days) |
5 May 858 - 6 June 921 aged 73 |
Fatimids invaded during his reign, lead the resistance |
 |
Ġeħosafat II | Niketas | 6 June 921 - 23 July 961 (40 years 1 month 17 days) |
9 April 900 - 23 July 961 aged 61 |
lead the resistance |
 |
Ġosija III | Konstantinos | 23 July 961 - 24 February 965 (3 years 7 months 1 day) |
14 March 897 - 24 February 965 aged 67 |
Made a peace treaty with the Fatimids, Assassinated |
 |
Ġeħosafat III | Theodosios | 24 February 965 - 15 May 988 (23 years 2 months 21 days) |
30 March 920 - 15 May 988 aged 68 |
Broke the Peace treaty, Lead the resistance |
 |
Ġosija IV | Konstantinos | 15 May 988 - 9 June 1010 (22 years 25 days) |
17 May 942 - 9 June 1010 aged 68 |
Lead the resistance |
 |
Reħobogħam I | Kallistos | 9 June 1010 - 19 October 1016 (6 years 4 months 10 days) |
24 July 940 - 19 October 1016 aged 76 |
Made a peace treaty with the Fatimids |
 |
Ġotam II | Konstantios | 19 October 1016 - 29 May 1024 (7 years 7 months 10 days) |
12 June 1063 - 29 May 1024 aged 60 |
Executed by the Fatimids, lead the resistance |
 |
Ġowas I | Anastasios | 29 May 1024 - 25 June 1034 (10 years 27 days) |
26 January 989 - 25 June 1034 aged 45 |
Executed by the Fatimids, lead the resistance |
 |
Ġeħu I | Alexios | 25 June 1034 - 22 December 1042 (8 years 5 months 27 days) |
19 January 1013 - 22 December 1042 aged 29 |
Executed by the Fatimids, lead the resistance |
 |
Ġotam III | Samuel | 22 December 1042 - 23 September 1063 (20 years 9 months 1 day) |
23 September 1005 - 23 September 1063 aged 58 |
Executed by the Fatimids, lead the resistance |
 |
Ġeħoħaħaż II | Theodoros | 23 September 1063 - 12 May 1104 (40 years 7 months 19 days) |
9 May 1006 - 12 May 1004 aged 98 |
lead the resistance, won the freedom of Malta in 1091 with help from norman Sicily, became their vassal |
 |
Ġeħosafat IV | Theodosios | 12 May 1104 - 19 October 1144 (40 years 5 months 7 days) |
8 December 1071 - 19 October 1144 aged 72 |
Ruled during a peaceful period |
 |
Sansun I | Alexios | 19 October 1144 - 11 February 1146 (1 year 3 months 23 days) |
24 July 1082 - 21 August 1176 aged 94 |
Elected as King regent, until a suitable candidate was found to establish a hereditary monarchy |
| Hereditary Monarchy | |||||
| House of Comino | |||||
 |
Salamun I | Aurelios | 11 February 1146 - 20 May 1188 (42 years 3 months 9 days) |
18 May 1116 - 20 May 1188 aged 72 |
Elected and confirmed as king by Roger II |
 |
Ħeżekija III | Antonios | 20 May 1188 - 6 July 1190 (2 years 1 month 16 days) |
28 September 1137 - 6 July 1190 aged 53 |
Son, died without sons |
| King Regent | |||||
 |
Samwel II | Samuel | 6 July 1190 - 20 May 1192 (1 year 10 months 14 days) |
12 June 1211 - 8 April 1202 aged 90 |
Served as regent after the death of Ħeżekija III who died with out any sons |
| House of Gaulos | |||||
 |
David II | John | 20 May 1192 - 25 November 1232 (40 years 6 months 5 days) |
28 June 1162 - 25 November 1232 aged 70 |
Son in Law of Ħeżekija III Defeated an Almohad fleet with norman help in 1194 |
 |
Salamun II | Joseph | 25 November 1232 - 8 December 1272 (40 years 13 days) |
25 December 1200 - 8 December 1272 aged 71 |
Son, cemented the hereditary monarchy, built a basilica in Gozo that was destroyed in 1565 |
 |
Salamun III | Solomon | 8 December 1272 - 19 March 1290 (17 years 3 months 11 days) |
9 September 1231 - 19 March 1290 aged 58 |
Son, lost the island of Malta after his tyrannical actions lead to a rebellion |
| Divided Kingdom | |||||
| Kingdom of Malta | |||||
| House of Reħobogħam | |||||
 |
Reħobogħam II | Rehoboam | 12 January 1273 - 26 May 1295 (22 years 4 months 14 days) |
8 September 1211 - 26 May 1295 aged 83 |
Son, swore fealty to Sicily in 1273 |
 |
Ġowas II | John | 26 May 1295 - 14 April 1297 (1 year 10 months 19 days) |
19 March 1249 - 14 April 1297 aged 48 |
Son, Executed for Heresy |
 |
Sansun II | Jeroboam | 14 April 1297 - 1 February 1321 (23 years 9 months 18 days) |
6 January 1251 - 1 February 1321 aged 70 |
Brother |
 |
Ġerobogħam II | Jeroboam | 1 February 1321 - 12 October 1322 (1 year 8 months 11 days) |
4 July 1277 - 12 October 1322 aged 45 |
Son, Assassinated after Excomunication |
| Non Dynastic | |||||
 |
Reħobogħam III | Constantine | 12 October 1322 - 19 October 1322 (7 days) |
16 June 1270 - 20 October 1322 aged 52 |
Deposed and Executed for regicide |
| House of Użja | |||||
 |
Użja I | Uzias | 19 October 1322 - 20 October 1326 (4 years 1 day) |
12 May 1250 - 20 October 1326 aged 76 |
General, Executed Reħobogħam III for treason |
 |
Ġerobogħam III | Constantine | 20 October 1326 - 8 May 1331 (4 years 6 months 18 days) |
25 February 1310 - 8 May 1331 aged 21 |
Grandson of Użja I through his eldest son, poisoned by his sister who wanted to make her husband king |
 |
Omri II | Alexios | 8 May 1331 - 20 October 1343 (12 years 5 months 12 days) |
20 November 1275 - 20 October 1343 aged 67 |
Son of Użja I, executed his niece and her husband for treason |
 |
Użja II | Uzias | 20 October 1343 - 16 July 1365 (21 years 8 months 26 days) |
17 August 1311 - 16 July 1365 aged 53 |
Son of Omri II, Assassinated |
 |
Ġerobogħam IV | Constantine | 16 July 1365 - 3 February 1367 (1 year 6 months 18 days) |
8 December 1345 - 3 February 1367 aged 21 |
Son of Użja II, Drowned in a Shipwreck |
 |
Ġowas III | Omri | 3 February 1367 - 29 October 1379 (12 years 8 months 26 days) |
19 December 1347 - 29 October 1379 aged 31 |
Son of Użja II, died of Tuberculosis |
 |
Użja III | Jeroboam | 29 October 1379 - 24 May 1408 (28 years 6 months 25 days) |
4 July 1343 - 24 May 1408 aged 64 |
Grandson of Omri II |
 |
Reħobogħam IV | Heraclios | 24 May 1408 - 11 September 1425 (17 years 3 months 18 days) |
7 April 1370 - 11 September 1425 aged 55 |
Son of Użja III |
 |
Menakem II | Severos | 11 September 1425 - 6 December 1441 (16 years 2 months 25 days) |
3 March 1396 - 6 December 1441 aged 45 |
Son of Reħobogħam IV |
 |
Ġerobogħam V | Philip | 6 December 1441 - 20 October 1483 (41 years 10 months 14 days) |
21 June 1420 - 20 October 1483 aged 63 |
Son of Menakem II |
 |
Użja IV | Charles | 20 October 1483 - 23 April 1484 (6 months 3 days) |
15 December 1445 - 23 April 1484 aged 38 |
Son of Ġerobogħam V, assassinated by Ġwanni I |
| Non Dynastic | |||||
 |
Ġwanni I | John | 23 April 1484 - 7 June 1484 (1 month 15 days) |
26 September 1442 - 7 June 1484 aged 42 |
Usurper, Executed by Ġeħu II |
| House of Attard | |||||
 |
Ġeħu II | Jehu | 7 June 1484 - 22 May 1495 (10 years 11 months 15 days) |
26 February 1420 - 22 May 1495 aged 75 |
Executed Ġwanni I, and crowned himself king as the House of Użja didn't have any heirs |
 |
Ġwanni II | Menahem | 22 May 1495 - 8 September 1497 (2 years 3 months 17 days) |
6 March 1443 - 8 September 1497 aged 64 |
Son of Ġeħu II |
 |
Ġeħu III | Omri | 8 September 1497 - 21 May 1518 (20 years 8 months 13 days) |
23 January 1447 - 21 May 1518 aged 71 |
Son of Ġeħu II |
 |
Ġwanni III | John | 21 May 1518 - 6 March 1528 (9 years 9 months 14 days) |
4 February 1453 - 6 March 1528 aged 75 |
Son of Ġeħu II |
 |
Reħobogħam V | Rehoboam | 6 March 1528 - 20 September 1560 (32 years 6 months 14 days) |
6 May 1477 - 20 September 1560 aged 83 |
Son of Ġwanni III, The order of Malta were settled during his reign |
 |
Ġowas IV | Joas | 20 September 1560 - 11 December 1566 (6 years 2 months 21 days) |
12 May 1500 - 11 December 1566 aged 66 |
Son of Reħobogħam V, Fought alongside the order and the king David V of Gozo-Comino against Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, during the Great Siege of Malta in 1565. |
 |
Sansun III | Samson | 11 December 1566 - 24 June 1574 (7 years 6 months 13 days) |
7 December 1536 - 24 June 1574 aged 37 |
Drowned in a shipwreck |
| House of Samwel | |||||
 |
Samwel III | Samuel | 24 June 1574 - 20 July 1575 (1 year 26 days) |
24 March 1522 - 20 July 1575 aged 53 |
Brother in law to Sansun III, Died after hitting his head in a lintel |
 |
Menakem III | Samuel | 20 July 1575 - 17 November 1600 (25 years 3 months 28 days) |
18 June 1544 - 17 November 1600 aged 56 |
Son of Samwel III |
 |
Omri III | John | 17 November 1600 - 10 February 1604 (3 years 2 months 24 days) |
7 July 1565 - 10 February 1604 aged 38 |
Son of Menakem III |
 |
Ġowas V | Omri | 10 February 1604 - 22 June 1653 (49 years 4 months 12 days) |
22 January 1567 - 22 June 1653 aged 86 |
Brother of Omri III |
 |
Sansun IV | Severus | 22 June 1653 - 17 September 1656 (3 years 2 months 26 days) |
24 May 1588 - 17 September 1656 aged 78 |
Son of Ġowas V, Had no living sons, upon his death Malta was reunified by his grandson via his daughter |
| Kingdom of Gozo and Comino | |||||
| House of Gaulos | |||||
 |
David III | David | 19 March 1290 - 15 June 1293 (3 years 2 months 27 days) |
23 March 1250 - 15 June 1293 aged 43 |
Son of Salamun III |
 |
Ġotam IV | Jotam | 15 June 1293 - 27 February 1335 (41 years 8 months 12 days) |
18 January 1271 - 27 February 1335 aged 64 |
Son of David III |
 |
Jehoshaphat V | Joshaphat | 27 February 1335 - 25 July 1360 (25 years 4 months 28 days) |
4 February 1300 - 25 July 1360 aged 60 |
Son of Ġotam IV |
 |
Ħeżekija IV | Ezequias | 25 July 1360 - 8 November 1372 (12 years 3 months 14 days) |
17 July 1328 - 8 November 1372 aged 44 |
Son of Jehoshaphat V |
 |
Ġeħoħaħaż III | Solomon | 8 November 1372 - 3 January 1374 (1 year 1 month 26 days) |
9 June 1350 - 3 January 1374 aged 23 |
Son of Ħeżekija IV |
 |
Ġosija V | Josias | 3 January 1374 - 6 July 1380 (6 years 6 months 3 days) |
22 December 1368 - 6 July 1380 aged 11 |
Son of Ġotam III, died of Dysentery |
 |
Ħeżekija V | Ezequias | 6 July 1380 - 4 September 1420 (40 years 1 month 29 days) |
7 May 1371 - 4 September 1420 aged 49 |
Son of Ġotam III, Assassinated |
 |
Menakem I | Menahem | 4 September 1420 - 2 November 1449 (29 years 1 month 29 days) |
8 August 1397 - 2 November 1449 aged 52 |
Son of Ħeżekija V Assassinated |
 |
Ġotam V | Jotam | 2 November 1449 - 16 May 1502 (52 years 6 months 14 days) |
15 April 1422 - 16 May 1503 aged 81 |
Son of Menakem I |
 |
David IV | David | 16 May 1502 - 25 April 1523 (20 years 11 months 9 days) |
18 January 1455 - 25 April 1523 aged 68 |
Son of Ġotam V |
 |
Salamun IV | Solomon | 25 April 1523 - 20 March 1543 (19 years 10 months 23 days) |
4 April 1483 - 20 March 1543 aged 59 |
The order of Malta were settled during his reign, died of Edema |
 |
David V | John | 20 March 1543 - 13 July 1585 (42 years 3 months 23 days) |
30 June 1510 - 13 July 1585 aged 75 |
Fought alongside the order and the king Ġowas IV of Malta against Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, during the Great Siege of Malta in 1565. |
 |
Salamun V | Solomon | 13 July 1585 - 3 December 1640 (55 years 4 months 20 days) |
22 September 1563 - 3 December 1640 aged 77 |
Son of Salamun V |
 |
Omri IV | Omri | 3 December 1640 - 25 April 1643 (2 years 4 months 22 days) |
12 January 1587 - 25 April 1643 aged 56 |
Son of Salamun V, Married his son to the daughter of Sansun IV, Leading to the reunification of Malta |
| Re-Unified Kingdom of Malta | |||||
| House of Gaulos | |||||
 |
Salamun VI | Solomon | 25 April 1643 - 30 August 1674 (31 years 4 months 5 days) |
16 March 1610 - 31 August 1674 aged 64 |
Son of Omri IV, Reunified Malta, Grandson of Sansun IV |
 |
Ġerobogħam VI | Jeroboam | 30 August 1674 - 30 November 1674 (3 months) |
21 June 1632 - 14 September 1685 aged 53 |
Son of Salamun VI, dethroned by the Grand Master for Heresy, later kidnapped by the Barbary pirates in 1683, returned in April 1685, but died shortly aftewards |
 |
David VI | David | 4 November 1674 - 8 December 1685 (11 years 1 month 4 days) |
17 April 1635 - 8 December 1685 aged 50 |
Son of Salamun VI |
 |
Ġwanni IV | John | 8 December 1685 - 18 March 1686 (3 months 10 days) |
9 October 1657 - 18 March 1686 aged 28 |
Son of David VI, Dethroned and Killed by his Uncle |
 |
Menakem IV | Ezequias | 18 March 1686 - 24 July 1697 (11 years 4 months 6 days) |
26 October 1637 - 24 July 1697 aged 59 |
Son of Salamun VI, Dethroned and Killed by Ġosija VI |
| House of Gaulos-Valletta | |||||
 |
Ġosija VI | Joshaphat | 24 July 1697 - 26 December 1732 (35 years 5 months 2 days) |
24 June 1678 - 26 December 1732 aged 54 |
Son of Ġwanni IV |
 |
Ġeħosafat VI | Josias | 26 December 1732 - 5 April 1781 (48 years 3 months 10 days) |
30 March 1703 - 5 April 1781 aged 78 |
Son of Ġosija VI |
 |
Samwel IV | Jotam | 5 April 1781 - 5 August 1789 (8 years 4 months) |
6 March 1726 - 5 August 1789 aged 63 |
Son of Ġeħosafat VI |
 |
Ġotam VI | Samuel | 5 August 1789 - 21 December 1835 (46 years 4 months 16 days) |
21 May 1752 - 21 December 1835 aged 83 |
Son of Samwel IV, Malta became a french and later british colony |
 |
Użja V | Rehoboam | 21 December 1835 - 8 February 1865 (29 years 1 month 18 days) |
5 July 1776 - 8 February 1865 aged 88 |
Son of Ġotam VI |
 |
Ġowas VI | Joas | 8 February 1865 - 16 July 1881 (16 years 5 months 8 days) |
13 June 1802 - 16 July 1881 aged 79 |
Son of Użja V |
 |
Reħobogħam VI | Uzias | 16 July 1881 - 20 August 1897 (16 years 1 month 4 days) |
28 April 1830 - 20 August 1897 aged 67 |
Son of Ġowas VI |
 |
Ħeżekija VI | Ezequias | 20 August 1897 - 15 August 1927 (29 years 11 months 26 days) |
6 July 1852 - 15 August 1927 aged 75 |
Son of Reħobogħam VI |
 |
Sansun VI | Samson | 15 August 1927 - 8 October 1972 (45 years 1 month 23 days) |
22 June 1880 - 8 October 1972 aged 92 |
Son of Ħeżekija VI, Malta gained independence during his reign |
 |
Menakem V | Jehu | 8 October 1972 - 19 February 2013 (40 years 4 months 11 days) |
23 October 1915 - 19 February 2013 aged 98 |
Son of Sansun VI |
 |
Ġeħu IV | Omri | 19 February 2013 - 24 August 2020 (7 years 6 months 5 days) |
23 November 1942 - 24 August 2020 aged 77 |
Son of Menakem V |
|
Omri V | Menahem | 24 August 2020 - (Reigning) |
20 May 1977 - |
Son of Ġeħu IV |