SAEDNEWS: The Shortest Reign in World History Lasted Less Than One Hour.
Throughout history, countless kings have ascended to the throne, some leaving a lasting mark with titles like “the most just king,” “the strongest king,” or “the kindest king in the world.” Yet, among these rulers, one king’s reign was astonishingly brief—lasting less than an hour.
Louis Antoine, the eldest son of Charles X of France and the last Dauphin of France, ruled over France and Navarre for less than 20 minutes before stepping down in an instant. Despite its brevity, his reign earned him a permanent place in history as the monarch with the shortest rule.
Charles X, Louis Antoine’s father, became king of France in 1824 following the reign of Louis XVIII. He attempted to restore absolute monarchy, a move that sparked public outrage and led to the July Revolution of 1830, which forced his abdication. Louis Antoine then ascended the throne as Louis XIX, and his wife became queen.
However, Louis Antoine’s reign lasted only twenty minutes before revolutionaries compelled him to abdicate. He and his wife were exiled, first to Scotland and later to Austria, marking the briefest reign in French history. Subsequently, representatives chose Louis-Philippe as king, inaugurating the July Monarchy.
