Shortest Reign in History?

The usual answer to this query is a ghoulish statistic such as the few
minutes during which the eldest son of Charles I of Portugal survived
his father. Such a response is worthless; what I have in mind is a REAL
reign--one in which laws were actually signed and appointments to office
were actually made.

(Gary Holtzman) garyholtzman...

Wasn't there an Asian monarch in the first millenium of the Common Era who had a
pillar fall on him or some such on the way back from his coronation the day after his
accession? I know he's been mentioned here in this context before, but I'm afraid I've
forgotten the details!

Otherwise, the reign of Jean I of France is always counted as an "official" reign, although
the infant king only lived for four days. Dipendra of Nepal's reign was even shorter, and
it is counted although he was comatose for its entirety. There might, therefore, not count
as "real" reigns for your purposes. It's very hard to determine where to draw the line.

Stan Brown...

Didn't the King of Belgium step down temporarily a few years ago
rather than sign a law passed by the legislature? Was someone else
King long enough to sign that law, or only regent?

(Gary Holtzman) garyholtzman...

It was King Baudouin who did this. The throne was vacant (as the throne of the
Belgians is when the sovereign dies or abdicates) for about a day.

En el Nombre de DIOS Arriba Nosotros.