A queen regent is a type of queen who rules as a regent on behalf of another family member who actually holds the throne, typically a male child below the age of majority.
A queen regent differs from a queen regnant, who rules in her own name as sole monarch, and queen consort, who holds the title of queen merely as the spouse of a reigning king, but does not actually rule.
Famous examples of queens regent from history include:
- Anne of Kiev, who ruled France on behalf of her son, King Philip I
- Queen Munchŏng, who ruled Korea on behalf of her son, King Myŏngjong
- Catherine of Austria, who ruled Portugal on behalf of her grandson, Sebastian
- Mary of Guise, who ruled Scotland on behalf of her daughter, Mary, Queen of Scots
- Catherine de Medici, who ruled France on behalf of her son, King Charles IX
- Marie de Medici, who ruled France on behalf of her son, King Louis XIII
- Luisa de Guzmán, who ruled Portugal on behalf of her son, Afonso VI
- Maria Christina of Austria, who ruled Spain on behalf of her son, Alfonso XIII