List of female monarchs

This article is about queens regnant and other female monarchs organised geographically. For female hereditary monarchs organised alphabetically, see List of female hereditary monarchs. For non-reigning current queens, see List of current consorts of sovereigns. For female regents, see List of regents. For elected and appointed female heads of state and government, see List of elected and appointed female heads of state and government.
  • Top left: Elizabeth II is the longest-reigning female monarch, ruling as Queen of the United Kingdom for 70 years, from 1952 to 2022.
  • Top right: Queen Victoria ruled the United Kingdom for 63 years, from 1837 to 1901; the longest at the time.
  • Bottom left: Wilhelmina, Queen of the Netherlands for 58 years from 1890 to 1948, is the longest-reigning female monarch outside the United Kingdom.
  • Bottom right: Margrethe II was Queen of Denmark for 52 years, from 1972 until her abdication in 2024; she is the most recent female monarch of a sovereign state.

This is a list of current and former female monarchs regardless of title, including queens regnant, empresses regnant, pharaohs and monarchs by other titles (grand duchess, princess, etc.). Consorts, such queens consort (i.e. spouses of male monarchs) are not included, see list of current consorts of sovereigns. Female regents are not included, see list of regents.

The following is an incomplete list of women monarchs who are well known from popular writings, although many ancient and poorly documented ruling monarchs (such as those from Africa and Oceania) are omitted. Section 1 lists monarchs who ruled in their own right, such as queens regnant. Section 2 lists legendary monarchs. Section 3 lists constituent monarchs: monarchs who ruled in their own right, but had no constitutional standing or regal powers while in power. Section 4 lists various female rulers who were referred to with the title "Chieftainess." Regents, such as queens regent, are not monarchs and are not included in this page. Pretenders to thrones are also not included in this page.