Regency, a temporary monarchy--the rule of a person appointed to administer a kingdom during the incapacity, minority, or absence of the sovereign. The (English) Regency Act, 1937 (1 Edw. 8 & 1 Geo. 6, c. 16), provides for the person next in line of succession to the Crown, if qualified, to be the 'Regent' during the minority or incapacity of the Sovereign.
The office or jurisdiction of a regent or body of regents, Black's Law Dictionary, 7th Edn.