Kings of the French Republic: The Unique Government system of Wallis and Futuna
- Lilou HARDONNIERE
- Nov 27
- 3 min read
By Swapnarka Arnan
The French Revolution stands as one of the most influential uprisings in world history. It ushered in the First French Republic and famously sent the former king to his death by guillotine. And although the monarchy was restored a few times in the years that followed, modern France remains a republic, with the revolutionary ideals of republicanism and democracy not only forming a pillar of its government but also deeply embedded in its national identity.
Yet, within this republic, there are individuals still recognized as monarchs; something most French citizens are unaware of. What might seem like a contradiction is a unique political arrangement found in a remote corner of France: a group of small islands in the Pacific.
Let’s explore the fascinating history and governance of Wallis and Futuna.
Evidence of human habitation on the islands dates back to the Lapita culture, around 850–800 BCE. Their location made them natural stopover points for maritime travel. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Tongan invasions brought a mix of resistance and assimilation. Futuna retained much of its pre-Tongan society and traditions, while Wallis underwent more profound changes in its language, culture, and social structure. The islands’ early inhabitants constructed forts and other notable structures, many now in ruins, some of which were later occupied and modified by the Tongans.
The French were the first Europeans to settle on the Islands in 1837 with the arrival of French missionaries. The Queen of Uvea signed a treaty in 1887 becoming a French Protectorate, and the Kings of Sigave and Alo did the same in 1888. The Islands came under the authority of the French colony of New Caledonia.
In 1959 the residents of the Islands voted to become a separate territory from New Caledonia.
While the Islands are a part of the French Republic, under a Statute signed in 1961, the French Government agreed to maintain three customary monarchies: Uvea in Wallis, and Ago and Sigave in Futuna. Therefore, Customary Rights of the Monarchies co-exist with French Law.
The Monarchs are appointed by the royal families, assisted by a prime minister and a 'chefferie', which is comprised of the village chiefs. While French criminal law still applies on the islands, These Monarchies administer justice in non-criminal matters such as land disputes according to customary law. They also play a significant role in religious and customary ceremonies.
What makes the monarchy in the territories even more unique is that they are not strictly hereditary, with the Kings usually selected by a from a small set of noble families by a council.
This has led to disputes and the most notable one was the 2016 dispute in Uvea.
In 2016, the throne of the Kingdom of Uvea, which was vacant for two years, was filled Tominiko Halagahu was installed as King by the Great Chieftancy. Earlier in the week, tensions flared as opponents occupied the royal palace. Two days later, a rival Chieftancy then proceeded to hold its own ceremony at the palace, installing Patalione Kanimoa, a former president of the territorial assembly as their king.
On the 3rd of June 2016, the French Government announced that it would recognise Kanimoa as the King. This move was denounced by Halagahu and his supporters who saw it as the French Republic interfering in the matters of the Kingdom.
France has a lengthy and sometimes contradictory history. A country formed by centuries of colonization, expansion, and cultural interaction, while also being the centre of a great revolution that dethroned a monarchy and espoused values of liberty and republicanism.
The tale of Wallis and Futuna represents a small but significant chapter in France’s story. Although France is a republic that upholds democratic principles, in its most remote regions, Kings are still recognized. This cohabitation illustrates the layered structure of government, where national rules and local customs converge, rather than being an exception. As the example of France demonstrates, political systems are rarely simple; they are the result of history, identity, and compromise and are frequently far more complex than the crude classifications we employ to characterize them.
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