Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, former (President of France &) Co-Prince of Andorra and Elizabeth II, Queen of The United Kingdom & other Commonwealth Realms, Head of the Commonwealth; are those individuals.
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| Elizabeth II (centre in bright-yellow) chatting with Giscard d'Estaing (next to her from left) during a meeting between Global Leaders |
President Giscard d'Estaing (b. 2/02/1926) is two months & 19 days older than Queen Elizabeth II (b. 21/04/1926). But, who should be recognised as the world's oldest living monarch?
France is such one! Inspite the fact it's monarchy was abolished almost 150 years ago, its heads of state have retained their monarchical title of Co-Princes of Andorra, borne by French Kings from 1589.
Andorra is a tiny country in the Pyrenees, (currently) sandwitched by Spain & France. In 1278 it adopted a diarchical system of leadership, following a 'billateral agreement' between the Catholic Bishop of Urgell (in today's Spain) & Count of Foix (in today's France), so they could share their property without hostilities.
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| Principality of Andorra in the European map |
Ever since then, based on this agreement, Andorra remained a united territory, (almost always independent &) ruled by two Co-Princes. And though the Bishop of Urgell remains today the figurehead of a Spanish diocese; the Counts of Floix hereditary became kings of Navarre; and later turned into Kings of France(; and later on this title passed to each French Head of State).
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| Andorra's current Co-Princes: Archbishop Joan Enric Vives Sicilia & President Emmanuel Macron |
In 1993, its Constitution was signed by then Co-Princes, Bishop Joan Martí Alanis & President François Mitterand, clarifying the continuance of the only dual monarchy in the world.
Both Co-Princes of Andorra are represented & have no other role in the Principality, but of a figurehead. French Presidents usually visit Andorra once in their reign, or meet their counterpart somewhere else. They are never referred co-Princes & just are titled as such during their tenure.
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| 'Coat of Arms of the high authorities of Andorra' |
However, as monarchs customarily retain their titles per-live (even if they are not anymore recognised in their country), all of the former French Presidents could be safely listed among living former monarchs, such as they had once been (de facto) Sovereigns.
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| Jean, Grand Duke of Luxembourg (5/01/1921 - 23/04/2019) |
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This is an ocassional post, without any references & official news, discussing it, except some facts. You can find more relative information in the Wikipedia links, included bellow:
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