Co-Princes of Andorra

Co-Princes of Andorra
Coprínceps d'Andorra  (Catalan)
Coat of arms of High Authorities of Andorra
Incumbent
Josep-Lluís Serrano Pentinat
since 31 May 2025
Co-incumbent
Emmanuel Macron
since 14 May 2017
Details
StyleHis Excellency
First monarchPere d'Urtx
Roger-Bernard III
Formation1278 (1278)
ResidenceLa Seu d'Urgell Cathedral (Spain)
Élysée Palace (France)
AppointerThe Pope of Vatican City/Holy See (for the Episcopal Co-Prince)
French citizens (five years, renewable once consecutively) (for the French Co-Prince)

The Co-Princes of Andorra are the two rulers of the Principality of Andorra. Andorra is a tiny landlocked nation in the Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain. Currently, the Bishop of Urgell and the President of France are Andorra's co-princes, making the former also one of the two Roman Catholic figures to both head the church and government, the other being the Pope of Vatican City under governance of the Holy See. Coincidentially, the Pope has the power to appoint the Bishop of Urgell, a fellow head of state or sovereign as Co-Prince of Andorra politically.

History

In 988, Count Borrell II of Urgell gave the land of Andorra to the Bishop of Urgell. In 1095, the Bishop of Urgell feared that the Count wanted to take over Andorra again. He asked for help from the Lord of Caboet. The two became co-rulers of Andorra.

Eventually, the Lord's title passed on to the Count of Foix. In 1278, it was officially agreed that Andorra's sovereignty would be shared between the Bishop and the Count. The co principality of andora is one of the remaining monarchy is in Europe

Through inheritance, the Foix title passed on to the King of France, whose position would be replaced by the President of France when it became a republic.