The Ruler of Pride Rock is the formal title given to the absolute monarch of the Pride Lands. Being an absolute monarch, the king or queen is vested with full executive and judicial control.
The official residence of the monarch is Pride Rock, where the king or queen lives with his or her faithful subjects, the lionesses and other lions, as well as his or her family.
Duties
Simba assumes the throne
There are no set duties for the monarch, nor are there any obligations that must be fulfilled. The monarch has absolute authority over any executive or judicial decisions, leading to some monarchs, most notably Scar, misusing their power. The wisest of the monarchs regulate predation within their lands, ensure that there is enough water to go around, and settle disputes among the Pride Landers.
Succession to the throne
The order of succession is based on equal primogeniture, meaning inheritance by the oldest surviving child without regard to gender. The heir apparent is usually the eldest. However, it would be within the monarch's prerogative (as absolute monarch) to amend the line of succession, include non-family members, or completely exclude royals from the line of succession altogether.
In order to ascend to the throne, the heir apparent must walk to the top of Pride Rock and roar over his or her kingdom. The lionesses in turn will roar back to signify their acceptance of the new monarch.
Monarchs
Monarchs are supreme rulers of the Pride Lands, often chosen through hereditary connections or usurpation.
Scar is the second-born son, and the former leader of the Lion Guard. He was a tyrannical king who seized the crown by murdering his older brother, Mufasa, and exiling Mufasa's son, Simba. His former heir apparent is his protégée, Kovu.
Simba is the only son of Mufasa and Sarabi, and the current king of the Pride Lands. He overthrew his tyrannical uncle Scar and brought the Pride Lands back to their former glory.
Kiara is the daughter and heir of Simba and Nala. She is the first known queen regnant.
None
Hereditary
Consorts
Consorts are mates chosen by the royal-blooded monarchs to rule at their sides. Betrothals are chosen by parents, as dictated by tradition. Presumably, neither the consorts nor the betrothals have a say in the matter, until the reigning king dies and the new king decides otherwise.
Kovu is the former heir apparent of Scar. He is the current prince consort of Kiara.
None
Mate of Kiara
Heirs
The heir is the lion next in line for the throne after the reigning monarch passes away, steps down from power, or retires. Contrary to popular belief, the child of the current monarch is not the only sole heir. Everyone from children, siblings, and even distant cousins are in line for the throne, a necessary procedure if the current monarch is unable to rule, if the monarch changes their mind about the line of succession, or if the monarch doesn't produce an offspring to succeed him or her.
Kovu is the former heir and "chosen one" of Scar until Simba returns to the Pride Lands. Years after the death of Scar, Kovu becomes the consort of Kiara and the successor of Simba.
None
Protégée of Scar
Trivia
Presumably, every ruler of Pride Rock since Askari's generation (with the exception of Simba) has had a younger brother. This is because the Lion Guard is traditionally led by the second-born cub of the reigning monarch, and Fuli is the first female member of the Guard.[1][2]
