Scholars Examine Legacies of Female Rule at United Queendom Conference

The two-day event at The Huntington Library explores how early modern debates about women's authority continue to influence politics and culture.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

A conference titled "United Queendom: Legacies of Gendered Power in the Early Modern British World" will bring together scholars to examine how the controversial history of female monarchs in Britain has shaped modern perceptions of who is "naturally" suited to rule. The event will situate British queenship alongside powerful models of female leadership in other parts of the world, highlighting a wider, transnational history of women in positions of authority.

Why it matters

The conference comes at a time when women are increasingly taking on leadership roles globally, with the UN reporting that as of January 2026, there are 28 women serving as heads of state or government across 25 countries. By examining the long history of female rule, the event aims to challenge assumptions about gender and political power.

The details

The two-day conference will feature panels and discussions exploring topics related to power, femininity, race, authority, and queerness in the context of early modern British monarchies. Organizers hope to connect this historical analysis to the present-day landscape of global politics and leadership.

  • The conference will take place on Friday, February 27 and Saturday, February 28, 2026.
  • On Friday, the event will run from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • On Saturday, the event will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The players

The Huntington Library

The venue hosting the United Queendom conference, located in San Marino, California.

UN Women

The United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women, which provided data on the current number of women serving as heads of state and government globally.

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The takeaway

This conference highlights how the historical legacy of powerful female monarchs in Britain and beyond can inform modern debates about gender and political leadership, challenging long-held assumptions about who is fit to govern.