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 | |
Incumbent | |
Joan Enric Vives Sicília since 12 May 2003 | |
Co-incumbent | |
Emmanuel Macron since 14 May 2017 | |
Details | |
Style | His Excellency |
First monarch | Pere d'Urtx Roger-Bernard III |
Formation | 1278 |
Residence | La Seu d'Urgell Cathedral (Spain) Élysée Palace (France) |
Appointer | The 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.