Regent of Hungary

Regent of Hungary
Kormányzó
Longest serving officeholder
Miklós Horthy
StyleHis Serene Highness
ResidenceBuda Castle
AppointerRoyal Diet
Term lengthNo fixed term
Formation1446 (historic)
1 March 1920
Final holderMiklós Horthy
Abolished15 October 1944
DeputyIstván Horthy
(19 February – 20 August 1942)

The regent of Hungary was a position established in 1446 and renewed in 1920. It was held by Admiral Miklós Horthy until 1944. Under Hungary's constitution there were two regents, one a regent of the ruling house, called the Nádor, and another called "Kormányzó" (which can mean "governor"). As the Entente had banned the legitimate Nádor from taking his place, the choice fell on electing a governor-regent: Admiral Horthy was chosen. Thus, he was regent of the post-World War I state called the Kingdom of Hungary and served as the head of state in the absence of a monarch, while a prime minister served as head of government. Horthy was styled "His Serene Highness the Regent of the Kingdom of Hungary" (Hungarian: Ő Főméltósága a Magyar Királyság Kormányzója).