kingdom · Egypt, North Africa and Sudan

Kingdom of Tunisia

1956 CE – 1957 CE · capital Tunis

Tunisia's brief monarchy after independence, in which the last Husainid bey reigned as king while Habib Bourguiba held power.

Origins

When the French protectorate of Tunisia ended in March 1956, the bey Muhammad al-Amin, known as Lamine Bey, became head of an independent kingdom. Habib Bourguiba, leader of the Neo-Destour party, became prime minister after elections to a constituent assembly.

Rule and society

Real power lay with Bourguiba, who sidelined the monarchy and the rival Youssefist faction. In August 1956 the government issued the Code of Personal Status, abolishing polygamy and reforming divorce, among the most progressive family laws in the Arab world. Religious courts were unified and lands of religious endowments reformed.

Decline and legacy

On 25 July 1957 the constituent assembly abolished the monarchy and proclaimed a republic, with Bourguiba as president. Lamine Bey was placed under house arrest, ending the Husainid dynasty, which had ruled since 1705.

Lineage

French protectorate of Tunisia 1881 CE – 1956 CEKingdom of Tunisia

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Cite this page
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). Kingdom of Tunisia. In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/kingdom-of-tunisia
MLA
“Kingdom of Tunisia.” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/kingdom-of-tunisia. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “Kingdom of Tunisia.” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/kingdom-of-tunisia.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Kingdom of Tunisia’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/kingdom-of-tunisia (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻