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!

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