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Regnantswomen, or queens regnant, are female monarchs who exercise sovereign authority in their own right. They differ from queen consorts, who are married to reigning kings, and from regents, who rule on behalf of a monarch who is a minor, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to govern. In practice, regnant queens hold the same constitutional status as their male counterparts where such a framework exists, though the extent of their power has varied across time and place.

Throughout history, regnant women have appeared in diverse regions and periods. Ancient Egypt saw Hatshepsut and Cleopatra VII assume the throne and rule in their own names. In China, Wu Zetian became the only female emperor of the Tang and Zhou eras. In Europe, Isabella I of Castile, Catherine II of Russia, Victoria of the United Kingdom, and Elizabeth I of England are among the best-known examples; each exercised full sovereign authority in their realms, though often within the constraints of dynastic and religious contexts. The presence of a female ruler frequently influenced state policy, succession norms, and the legitimacy of regimes.

In the modern era, female sovereignty persists in certain constitutional monarchies. For example, Margrethe II has reigned as queen regnant of Denmark since 1972, symbolizing continuity between tradition and contemporary governance. Across jurisdictions, the role and powers of regnant women have been shaped by constitutional law, cultural norms, and the political structure of the state. The phenomenon remains relatively uncommon but has played a crucial role in the history of monarchy and gender in leadership.