The Earth King or Earth Queen is the ruler of the Earth Kingdom and the sovereign of Ba Sing Se. The earth monarch consolidates their power, palace, and seat of government in the Upper Ring of Ba Sing Se, the capital of their kingdom. As of 174 AG, with the coronation of Wu of the Hou-Ting Dynasty, there have been fifty-four monarchs of the Earth Kingdom. However, after Kuvira attacked Republic City, King Wu decided to step down as king and abolish the monarchy in favor of independent states with elected governments akin to the political system of the United Republic of Nations, a motion for which he received the support of Avatar Korra.