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Crowned too soon? History’s youngest monarchs
Check out who are the world’s youngest monarchs
There have been several monarchs who became the king or queen of their country when they were only a few years old.
Have a look at the child rulers who came to power after the death of their fathers:
John I- King of France
John I of France became king right after his birth on November 15, 1316, following the death of his father, Louis X.
In a shocking turn of events, he lived only five days and died on November 20, with speculation that his uncle Philip V, who succeeded him on the throne, had poisoned him.
Reason:
John inherited the crown as an infant after the death of his father.
Mary I- Queen of Scots
Mary became Queen of Scots when she was only six days old. Because of age, her mother ruled as regent while Mary was sent to grow up in France.
When she turned 18, Mary got her leadership back—but her reign quickly took a dramatic turn.
She married a man who was widely believed to be involved in the assassination of her former husband, which destroyed her reputation.
Forced to give up on her throne, Mary fled to England with hopes of seeking protection from her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I.
Instead of helping her, Elizabeth imprisoned her for 18 years.
Mary was later accused of plotting to kill Elizabeth and was executed in 1587 at the age 44.
Reason:
Mary inherited the throne as an infant right after the death of her father, King James V of Scotland.
Shah Shapur II- King of Persia
Shapur II became king immediately after his birth in 309 AD, taking on the royal duties of the Sasanian Empire of Persia.
According to Business Insider, he was crowned while he was still in his mother’s womb.
Reason:
He had to take the responsibility of becoming a monarch right after his birth as his father, King Hormizd II, had recently died.
Additionally, Shapur’s brothers were also either killed or blinded by the nobles who felt threatened by their rule, leaving him as the only heir.
King Oyo of Tooro, Uganda
Oyo became the youngest modern monarch when he was crowned as the King of Tooro, Uganda, in 1995, at the tender age of 3.
His mother, Kemigisha Besta, handled the responsibilities until he was old enough to rule.
It is worth noting that he is now 33 years old and still the king.
Reason:
King Oyo was handed the reins of power after the passing of his father, Kaboyo III.
