Head of state

A head of state or chief of state is an individual who serves as the chief public representative of a nation-state, federation or commonwealth. His or her role generally includes personifying the continuity and legitimacy of the state and exercising the political powers, functions and duties granted to the head of state in the country's constitution.

Official residences

Every head of state is provided with a state residence or residences, often called a 'palace'. Among the most famous such residences are:

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• Amalienborg Palace - Queen of Denmark
• Áras an Uachtaráin - President of Ireland
• Palácio de Belém - President of Portugal
• Bellevue Palace - Federal President of Germany
• Blue House - President of South Korea
• Buckingham Palace - Queen of the United Kingdom
• Casa Rosada - President of Argentina
• Élysée Palace - President of the French Republic
• Government House is a generic term used for gubernatorial residences in many nations. For example, the Governor-General of Australia resides in Government House, Canberra. However, the Governor General of Canada is an exception, as his or her primary residence is Rideau Hall. Declarations printed in the Canada Gazette by the Governor General of Canada are nonetheless given the title Government House. However the residence of the first and second Governors-General of the Irish Free State was known as the Viceregal Lodge, the building's name under the preceding Representative of the Crown, the Lords Lieutenant of Ireland. (The building, which is now the residence of the President of Ireland, is now called Áras an Uachtaráin).
• Hofburg Imperial Palace - Austrian Federal President
• Istana - President of Singapore
• Kokyo - Emperor of Japan
• Kremlin - President of Russia
• Los Pinos - President of Mexico
• Palacio Real de Madrid - King of Spain
• Malacañang Palace - President of the Philippines
• Presidentinlinna - President of Finland
• Quirinal Palace - President of the Italian Republic
• Rashtrapati Bhavan - President of India
• Stari Dvor - President of Serbia
• Stockholm Palace - King of Sweden
• Vatican Palace - Pope
• White House - President of the United States