pretender
n. countablen. someone who claims to have a right to a position of power, like a king, but is not actually the true owner. It is often used in history to describe people who try to take over a throne.
n. a person who claims to be the rightful possessor of a title, office, or property, especially a monarch. Often carries a derogatory or pejorative tone, implying the claim is fraudulent or illegitimate.
The king defeated the pretender to the throne.
Historians often debate whether the pretender actually believed he had a legal claim to the crown or was simply using it for political leverage.
The novel explores the psychological toll on a pretender who must maintain a facade of royal authority while knowing his lineage is entirely fabricated.
From pretend + -er.
From pre- + tender.