Your Questions about Queens, Consorts, and Coronations (ep 37)

Today we’ll be looking at your questions regarding Queens and
Consorts. Recently I posted a trivia questions on Facebook: Who
was crowned in the SEVEN Tudor coronations? This raised a host of
questions about Tudor Queens and Consorts, so I thought this
would be a good time to jump right into that Queen versus Queen
Consort question. And we’ll also take a quick look at those Tudor
coronations. 

A regnant Queen is a woman who inherits and reigns in her own
right. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II inherited the throne from
her father, King George VI. She is the reigning monarch. Her
claim to the throne is her own, not based on marriage to a king.
If Prince Philip dies before Her Majesty, she will remain the
Queen. When she dies, she will be succeeded by her heir, Prince
Charles.

Because of the laws of succession, which until 2013 were based on
preference for a male ruler, there are far more reigning Kings
than Queens. Most of these Kings had wives, so we also have
numerous Queen Consorts.

The Queen Consort is the woman married to the male monarch. So,
most recently, during the reign of King George VI, his wife was
known as Queen Elizabeth and served as Queen Consort. This ended
when the king died and their daughter became Queen Elizabeth II.
(Their both being named Elizabeth is confusing, I agree—the
current Queen is Queen Elizabeth II, her mother was known as
Queen Elizabeth during her husband’s reign. Queen Consorts do not
have a number.) 

Throughout British history, the roles of Queens and Queen
Consorts have shaped the perception and success of those around
them. From the Empress Matilda to HM Queen Elizabeth II, the
influence of royal women has changed everything!


History shows us what's possible.