Co-Princes of Andorra

The Co-Princes of Andorra are the two rulers of the Principality of Andorra. Andorra is a tiny landlocked nation in the Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain. Currently, the Bishop of Urgell and the President of France are Andorra's co-princes.

Co-Monarch of Andorra
Catalan: Co-Príncep d'Andorra
French: Co-Prince d'Andorre
Spanish: Co-Príncipes de Andorra
Coat of Arms of the high authorities of Andorra.svg
Incumbent
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Joan Enric Vives Sicília
since 12 May 2003
Co-incumbent
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Emmanuel Macron
since 14 May 2017
Details
StyleHis Excellency
First monarchPere d'Urtx
Roger-Bernard III
Formation1278
ResidenceLa Seu d'Urgell Cathedral (Spain)
Élysée Palace (France)
AppointerThe Pope (for life)
French citizens (five years, renewable once)

History

In 988, Count Borrell II of Urgell gave the land of Andorra to the Bishop of Urgell. In 1095, the Bishop of Urgell feared that the Count wanted to take over Andorra again. He asked for help from the Lord of Caboet. The two became co-rulers of Andorra.

Eventually, the Lord's title passed on to the Count of Foix. In 1278, it was officially agreed that Andorra's sovereignty would be shared between the Bishop and the Count.

Through inheritance, the Foix title passed on to the King of France, whose position would be replaced by the President of France when it became a republic.