Emperor of India

The title Empress of India was given to Queen Victoria in 1877. The title was created some years after the formal incorporation into the British Empire of Britain's possessions and protectorates on the Indian subcontinent, comprising modern-day India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Burma (though the latter would be made a separate colony in 1937). It is said Victoria's desire for such a title was motivated partially out of jealousy of the Imperial titles of some of her royal cousins in Germany and Russia. Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli is usually credited with creating the title for her.

Related Topics:
Queen Victoria - British Empire - Indian subcontinent - India - Pakistan - Bangladesh - Burma - Prime Minister - Benjamin Disraeli

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When Victoria died and her son Edward VII ascended the throne, his title became Emperor of India. The title continued until India and Pakistan became independent from the United Kingdom at midnight on 14/15 August 1947. The title was given up in 1948 by George VI, then King of the United Kingdom, with retrospective effect to August 15, 1947.

Related Topics:
Edward VII - India - Pakistan - Independent - United Kingdom - 14 - 15 August - 1947 - George VI

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When signing their name for Indian business, a King-Emperor or reigning Queen-Empress used the initials R I (Rex/Regina Imperator/Imperatrix) or the abbreviation Ind. Imp. (Indiae Imperator/Imperatrix) after their name (while reigning Queen-Empresses used the initials R I, consorts of King-Emperors simply used R). This was also used on many British coins, including some 1948 coins of George VI.

Related Topics:
King-Emperor - Queen-Empress - 1948

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When a male monarch held the title, his Queen Consort assumed the title Queen-Empress, but unlike Queen Victoria, they themselves were not reigning monarchs but the consorts of reigning monarchs.

Related Topics:
Queen Consort - Queen-Empress

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