Federal Monarchy

A federal monarchy is a federation of states with a single monarch as over-all head of the federation, but retaining different monarchs, or a non-monarchical system of government, in the various states joined to the federation. This form of government draws from Federalism and Monarchism.

History
The concept behind such a government was well discussed in the 19th Century, specifically on the Italian Peninsula and in Austria-Hungary. On the Italian Peninsula it was discussed as a way to unite the city states and in Austria-Hungary it was discussed as a way to reform the Empire in a fashion that diminished ethnic tensions. The term was introduced into English political and historical discourse by Edward Augustus Freeman, in his History of Federal Government (1863). Though Freeman himself thought a federal monarchy only possible in the abstract. However, in 1871 the German Empire was formed uniting various German Kingdoms; such as Prussia and Bavaria under an Emperor. Besides the altogether 23 monarchies federated to the empire there were three republican city-states, namely Bremen,Hamburg and Lübeck, and Alsace-Lorraine. The successful formation and stability of the German Empire paved the way for other Federal Monarchies.

Current Federal Monarchies

 * Australia - Queen of England
 * Belgium - King of Belgium
 * Canada - Queen of England
 * Malaysia - Yang di-Pertuan Agong, elected from regional monarchs who govern the states of the Federation.
 * Saint Kitts and Nevis - Queen of England
 * United Arab Emerates - President, elected from regional monarchs who govern the states of the Federation.