Monarchy of Barcia
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| Monarchy of Barcia | |
|---|---|
 Royal Coat of Arms | |
.jpg) Maria III | |
| Details | |
| Style | His/Her Majesty |
| Heir apparent | Vittorio, Prince of Ludovicia |
| Residence | Castello Forlana Castelloferro Palazzo Edera Palazzo Benemia |
| Appointer | Hereditary |
The Monarchy of Barcia is the form of government in which a hereditary monarchy rules over Barcia as head of state. Historically, the Barcian monarchs ruled as absolutists weilding almost complete power over the state and its subjects. Today the power of the monarch is mostly ceremonial with its authority greatly limited by the country's constitution implemented in the aftermath of the Second Great War. The incumbent of the Barcian monarchy is styled King or Queen of Barcia (Idrean: Re/Regina di Barcia). The current monarch of Barcia is Queen Maria III who has ruled over the country since 1996.
The Barcian monarch is responsible for the opening and closing of parliament as well as the appointment of the Chancellor of Barcia who constitutionally is the individual best able to command the confidence of the Parliament of Barcia, usually the leader of the largest party. Additionally, the monarch of Barcia is also responsible for welcoming foreign dignataries as well as performing a number of domestic and overseas diplomatic responsibilities. Barcia utilises a system of male-preference Primogeniture to dictate succession to the throne. Under this system the eldest male child of the reigning monarch inherits the throne, whilst females will only inherit the throne should they have no male siblings.
The Barcian monarchy has its origins in the House of Ludovicus who served as mercenaries and bodyguards to the Sabarine Emperor during the late First Empire. For their services the Ludovites were granted control over the island of Scalia but were soon able to launch of war of conquest against the empire which resulted in their capture of much of the empire's north-eastern territory as confirmed through the Treaty of Cerrescum. This treaty also granted the Ludovites the title of Grand Dukes of Barcia which they retained until the Twelfth Century when the title was usurped by the Emperor. Over time the Ludovites and their descendants the House of Sabino were able to rebuild their power in the empire's northeast, reclaiming the title of Grand Duke following the War of the Eagles. During the Great Upheaval, the Dukes of Barcia styled themselves as Kings marking Barcias promotion to the title of Kingdom within the Sabarine Empire and later Occidental Confederation.