Protector of the Realm is a title in the Seven Kingdoms, the holder of which is considered to be head of state. The title is usually held, ex officio, by the King of the Andals and the First Men, who also holds the title of Lord of the Seven Kingdoms. During the minority of a child monarch, however, a Regent is named as Protector of the Realm until the heir comes of age. Protectors of the Realm who are not of royal birth are addressed a (My) Lord Protector. The title was (presumably) created by the Targaryen Kings when they unified the Seven Kingdoms into a single realm during the War of Conquest.