What is the difference between Queen and Queen Consort?
THE QUEEN has announced it is her wish the Duchess of Cornwall be assigned the titled of "Queen Consort".
But what does history tell us about this decision and why will Camilla Parker Bowles' title differ from the Queen's?
What is the difference between Queen and Queen Consort?
Throughout British history, the husband or wife of the monarch is known as the consort, a position that has no constitutional role but carries significant prestige.
A queen consort is the wife of a reigning king and usually shares her spouse's social rank and status.
The mother of the Queen served in this role while her husband, the Queen's father - King George VI - was on the throne from 1936 until 1952.
The assignment of the title Queen is reserved for those born into the monarchy.
This is the Queen regnant - a ruler in her own right.
Queen Elizabeth II inherited her role through the line of succession when her father King George IV died in 1952.
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Why do Queen's husbands not become Kings?
The husbands do not become Kings when they marry Queens because of a traditional value system.
A King would be ranked higher than the Queen therefore the proper title for the husband of a ruling monarch is "Prince Consort";.
The title of "King" is only given to a male who inherits the throne and reigns as monarch.
Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth married in 1947, and after she came to rule the monarch, changed his title to Prince in 1957.
At that time, the palace released a statement saying: "The Queen has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm bearing date 22nd February, 1957, to give and grant unto His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, K.G., K.T., G.B.E., the style and titular dignity of a Prince of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Whitehall."
When the king dies, the title of queen consort becomes queen dowager or queen mother.