Why Elizabeth II Was a Queen and Not an Empress

Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch of the United Kingdom, held the title of Queen and not Empress primarily because of the nature of the British monarchy and the territories over which she reigned. Let's delve into the historical and practical reasons underlying this distinction.

Historical Context

During the heyday of the British Empire, rulers often held the title of Emperor or Empress due to the vast extent of their territories. However, after World War II and significant decolonization, the British Empire underwent a transformation. The monarchy shifted from a central governing body to a constitutional role within the Commonwealth, a network of independent countries that recognize the monarch as their symbolic head of state. This change in the role of the monarchy was reflected in the choice of titles for various realms.

Commonwealth Realms

Elizabeth II reigned over multiple realms including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand among others. Each of these countries has its own constitution and governance, and they chose to maintain a constitutional monarchy rather than being ruled by an empress. This reflects the principle of sovereignty, where each nation makes its own decisions and has its own government.

Empress vs. Queen

The title of Empress typically implies a ruler over an extensive empire, encompassing various nations and peoples. In contrast, a queen usually rules a specific nation or territory. Elizabeth II's title as Queen reflects her role as a constitutional monarch within a network of independent nations rather than as a ruler of an empire. This distinction is crucial in understanding the nature of her reign and the form of government in the Commonwealth realms.

The Case of India

The only time the British monarch held the title of Empress was in the case of India. Queen Victoria was given the title 'Empress of India' between 1876 and 1948. This title, however, is a contradiction, as the British Empire extended far beyond India and therefore did not truly fit the title of an empire.

The primary title used in India by Queen Victoria and subsequent monarchs was 'Kaisar-i-Hind,' a Persian title that means 'Indian Emperor'. This title was further distinguished to 'Empress of India' by Queen Victoria in 1876. However, the title of Empress of India was not a true imperial title, as it did not include the other parts of the British Empire outside India.

Further complicating the issue was the fact that a significant portion of India was made up of princely states, which were not technically part of British India. These states owed allegiance to the British Crown, but a clear distinction in status was required.

The Title Debate in the UK

There were significant debates within the UK about the adoption of the title 'Empress.' Prime Minister Disraeli, in particular, opposed it on the grounds that it would diminish the supremacy of the queenly title. He argued that the queenly title was superior and that no imperial dignity could be considered as superior.

The title was used strictly for India, and Elizabeth II and subsequent monarchs were only formally known as the Queen of the United Kingdom and other realms, never as an Empress.

The Role of the Crown in India

While Queen Victoria was Empress of India, the other parts of the British Empire were ruled by the monarch in the capacity of their respective royal titles. For example, in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, the monarch was not an Empress but a Queen, reflecting the constitutional monarchy in those nations.

The Title of Queen in Multiple Realms

Elizabeth II reigned over fifteen different realms at the end of her reign, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, among others. These realms each have their own unique history and governance, and each monarch's role within them was defined by their royal titles rather than a single imperial title.

For instance, at the beginning of her reign, Elizabeth II was officially titled 'Queen of the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Pakistan, Ceylon, Solomon Islands, and Aden,' among other realms. This title reflected the diverse but interconnected nature of the Commonwealth.

In summary, the choice of the title Queen for Elizabeth II reflects the structured and constitutional nature of the British monarchy and the sovereignty of each Commonwealth realm. The title of Empress, while once used in specific cases like India, did not fit the broader role of the British monarch in a post-colonial world.