Final answer:
An appointed official acting as a representative of a monarch in a territory or land is known as a governor general or viceroy. In monarchies, these roles vary from symbolic figureheads in constitutional monarchies to more direct rulers in historical empires or absolute monarchies.
Step-by-step explanation:
An appointed official that rules a land or territory and is a representative of a monarch is known as a governor general or viceroy. In a monarchy, a monarch such as a king or queen may appoint such an official to act as their representative in regions far from the central seat of power. Historically, this practice was common in large empires where direct rule by the sovereign themselves was impractical due to the vast distances involved.
In systems such as the constitutional monarchy of the United Kingdom, the monarch appoints a governor general as a largely ceremonial figurehead, whereas the true government power lies within an elected parliament. Monarchies differ vastly in the extent of power the royal individual holds, which can range from absolute - where the monarch has unchecked authority - to constitutional, characterized by limited or ceremonial roles.
There are currently several countries with monarchs as heads of state, where the monarchy's role has evolved from divine rights to symbolic representation, often upholding traditions of the nation.