legitimists
/ləˈdʒɪtəmɪsts/
noun
- People who support a ruler or government based on traditional or legal rights, especially those who believe a monarchy should continue according to old laws of succession.
- In the 19th century, French legitimists refused to accept any government that was not led by the senior line of the Bourbon family.
- The legitimists argued that the exiled prince was the only rightful king.
- Some modern legitimists still campaign for the restoration of monarchies in countries that are now republics.