Royalism - Definition and Overview

The noun or adjective, Royalist, can have several shades of meaning. At its simplest, it refers to an adherent of a monarch or royal family. It can mean a person who wishes to change the political system of his country into a monarchy, thus a monarchist.

Of the more specific uses of the term, the most common include:

1. A supporter of King Charles I of England during the English Civil War. See Cavaliers.
2. In the UK, a believer in the continued desirability of the royal family (the term "royalist" is still used almost interchangeably with "monarchist").
3. In the context of the History of France since the 18th century, and especially during the French Revolution, a supporter of the House of Bourbon. The term is generally not applied to partisans of the monarchical claims of the line of Napoleon Bonaparte.

See Also

• Legitimist
• Parliamentarian
• Ultra-royalist