Regent

A regent, from the Latin regens "one who reigns", is the informal or sometimes formal title given to a temporary, acting head of state in a monarchy. If the regent is holding this temporary position due to his or her position in the line of succession and thus is a member of the royal house, the term used is often prince regent or princess regent. The time in office for a regent is often called a regency, a term also used for the constitutional rules providing for the temporary upholding of the position.

For regents in different countries, see List of regents.