In fairy tales and folk stories, the role of a king or queen is very simple – they are the supreme rulers of the land. Yet, the reality of royal status and sovereign rule is often a little more complicated.
A complexity that has attracted a good degree of attention in recent years is the difference between a Queen and Queen Consort. Here’s a short guide to the differences and the similarities between these two royal ranks, as well as some fascinating insights regarding the history and evolution of these captivating titles.
The Difference Between a Queen & a Queen Consort
The difference between a Queen and a Queen Consort relates to heritage and marriage. A Queen is a royal sovereign who has inherited her rank, having been born as an heir to the crown. A Queen Consort is a woman who has become queen because she is married to the king.
So, a Queen could be either single or married, her status as the monarch is not dictated or affected by her marital status. A Queen Consort, on the other hand, can only acquire that role through marriage.
To use an example from modern royalty, Queen Elizabeth II of England was a queen by nature of her birth. She inherited the throne from her father, King George VI in 1952. Although she was a young newlywed at the time, Elizabeth would have become queen regardless of her marital status.
By contrast, the current English queen, Camilla, is officially known as a Queen Consort. This is because her rank and role are a result of her marriage to King Charles, or Prince Charles as he was at the time of their wedding in 2005. If Camilla had not married Charles, she would not be the Queen Consort. Equally, if Charles had not become king, Camilla would not be the Queen Consort.
This shows that the position of a queen consort is entirely dependent on who they marry, and on the rank attained by their spouse.
To illustrate this with another example, the current king’s daughter-in-law, Catherine, Princess of Wales is married to the heir to the throne, ie Prince William. When William inherits the crown, his wife Catherine will then be the new Queen Consort. Like Camilla, Catherine could not be queen in her own right, because she was not born into the line of succession.
For the British Royal Family to have another queen by birth, the crown would have to pass to one of the women in the line of succession. The highest ranking female in line to the British throne is Princess Charlotte, the daughter of Prince William and granddaughter of King Charles III. If Charlotte were to inherit the throne, she would be known officially as the Queen (not as Queen Consort), and she could become queen whether or not she was married. Further down the line of succession, Princess Anne could also become a queen in her own right, as the sister of the current king, she is born into the line of succession.
The Similarities Between a Queen & a Queen Consort
In terms of regal status, official state business, and the question of who will inherit the crown, there’s a considerable difference between a Queen and a Queen Consort. In terms of lifestyle, however, there are a great many similarities, so much so that it can be impossible to tell the difference between the lifestyle of a Queen versus that of a Queen Consort.
For both titles, the role is that of a supreme royal figurehead. In the past, royal consorts did on occasion play a part in the governance and politics of a realm. Yet, these days, both royals by birth and royals by marriage take on more of a statesperson role, representing the nation rather than running or ruling it.
Both a Queen and a Queen Consort would be expected to carry out certain civic duties, both in their home nation and abroad. For example, when visiting dignitaries arrive in the country, the royal family will often host a social event or gala to welcome or honor them. This is the kind of public duty that both a Queen and a Queen Consort would be required to attend.
The homes and family life of a Queen and a Queen Consort also share a great many similarities. A Queen may have her pick of royal residences as the official owner of palaces and castles etc. A queen consort may have no official claim to the same royal residences, yet, as the spouse of the king, she would likely have the same level of access to the various properties that belong to the crown.
When it comes to transport and travel, a Queen and a Queen Consort would likely enjoy the same degree of luxury transportation. The level of security and preferential arrangements would also be very similar. A Queen Consort may not have the ultimate royal status, yet as the wife of the reigning sovereign, they will likely be awarded a similar VIP status when traveling, especially if they’re traveling with their spouse or on official royal business.
The Legacy of a Queen Consort
The line of succession for royal families has historically placed a great deal of emphasis on the heritage of a royal couple. When a Queen has children, they naturally play a role in the succession of future heirs. However, the children of a Queen Consort are not necessarily entitled to a position in the line to the throne.
For example, in the case of HRH Camilla, Queen Consort of Great Britain, her children from her first marriage (before she married Prince Charles) will have no place in the line of succession. This is because Camilla has no royal lineage, her status is due solely to her marriage. Yet the future Queen Consort of England, Catherine, will be a part of the line of succession, being the mother of three of the heirs to the throne.
In many ways, the life and role of a Queen Consort is very similar to that of a Queen who has inherited her rank by the nature of her birth and heritage. Yet, in terms of regal stature and family legacy, the official difference between the two royal ranks can play a key role in their status, and that of their descendants.