It is not clear whether he was democratically elected, or some form of hereditary ruler.
The Peshwas transformed themselves into hereditary rulers of the state.
These states remained under the full control of their hereditary rulers, with no popular government.
The counts are hereditary rulers whose families have long and famous histories.
A man could be a hereditary ruler, or an elected president, but not be a gentleman, and that would show in his every deed.
Except one: hereditary or elected ruler, this woman was the head of her planet's government.
Even Kiri knew that, did not attempt to cross certain natural barriers, and she was a hereditary ruler, an extraordinary individual.
He is an elected monarch chosen from the hereditary rulers of the nine Malay states every five years.
The hereditary ruler of Perlis is also the head of its royal household.
He must be desperate indeed to consider over- throwing his hereditary ruler.