What is the difference between a Regent and a Monarch?

[Melania]

Just a little curious and wondering if anyone could help me? Thanks if you know. :)

[Australian]

A regent is someone who rules during the minority, absence, or disability
of a monarch. One acting as a ruler or governor. www.answers.com/topic/regent


and a monarch is one who reigns over a state or territory,
usually for life and by hereditary right, especially: A sole and absolute
www.answers.com/topic/monarch


so basically, a Regent is only when someone fills in for the monarch for a certain amount of time, it is a temporary thing.
hope this helps :)

[Von Schlesian]

Correct Australian. In past practice: a regent rules/reigns as Monarch in all but name, signing bills to make them law, appoint ministers, declare war etc etc.
Famous regents are HRH The Prince George Prince of Wales (later HM King George IV), who was Regent twice during the reign of his father HM King George III, and
HIM The Empress Dowager Tzu Hsi, regent during the rule of the last Emperor of China.

[Melisende]

Regents are not necessarily royalty themselves. They can be members of the ruling family, the nobility, part of a governmental group of councillors. Many regents are elected to the position or named in wills. Then there are those who take it upon themselves to "assume" the role.

[mrsbugman]

Isn't it just until the monarch comes of age?

[Stefan]

Originally Posted by mrsbugman

Isn't it just until the monarch comes of age?

Not always for example King George IV. oif Great Britain was 10 years Regent for his father because of his fathers illness. And Prince Luitpold of Bavaria was 26 years Regent for his nephew King Otto who was insane.

[Lumutqueen]

Originally Posted by mrsbugman

Isn't it just until the monarch comes of age?

A regent, from the Latin regens "that who reigns", is a person selected to act as head of state (ruling or not) because the ruler is a minor, not present, or debilitated.

Prince Frederik of Denmark sometimes acts as regent for his mother when she is out of the country.

A Monarch is the person who heads a monarchy, a form of government in which a country or entity is usually ruled or controlled by an individual who normally rules for life or until abdication.

[cmkrcwi]

Queen Emma of the Netherlands served as Regent for her daughter Wilhelmina who became Queen when she was only 10.

Queen Maria Cristina of Spain served as Regent for her son Alfonso XIII who was born after the death of his father.

[Next Star]

Prince Albert II of Monaco when he was heir to the throne was an regent through his father illness until he passed.
Prince Alois of Liechtenstein who is the heir to the throne has been acting as regent since 2002 or 2003 even though
his father is still the monarch. Queen Elizabeth II of United Kingdom is the monarch and has been reigning since 1952.

[AustinTexas1961]

Does anyone recall instances of a "vicegerent?" I imagine it means the "right hand" of a regent.

[NGalitzine]

Governors General are refered to as viceregal, acting on behalf of the monarch, so I suppose it could be considered that their position is vice-regent representing the monarch in their respective nations.