Why Camilla is Queen but Prince Philip was never King
When the world tunes in to watch the official coronation of King Charles III this evening, they will also see Camilla crowned as Queen.
And while her title changing from Queen Consort to Queen has ruffled some feathers, it has also raised another question.
Why is Camilla a Queen when Queen Elizabeth II's husband Prince Philip was never called King?
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Camilla will be crowned Queen alongside her husband King Charles III. Getty
Where did the Queen Consort title come from?
Traditionally, the reigning monarch's wife is known as the Queen Consort, while the Queen (or 'Queen Regnant') refers to someone who has actually ascended the throne through the line of succession.
When Queen Elizabeth II's father King George VI died in 1952, she ascended the throne and became a Queen, whereas Camilla is a Queen by marriage, making her consort.
It's believed the royal family gave the title Queen Consort initially to distinguish her from Queen Elizabeth II immediately after her death last year.
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The Queen Consort leaving Westminster Abbey in central London, following a rehearsal for the coronation of King Charles III. Picture date: Wednesday May 3, 2023. (Photo by Stefan Rousseau/PA Images via Getty Images) PA Images via Getty Images
Royal experts have claimed it was always the plan for Camilla to eventually drop the 'consort' part of her title.
Why wasn't Philip called King consort?
Philip was made the Duke of Edinburgh by Elizabeth II's father, George VI, just before his 1947 wedding, and the Queen later made him a prince of the UK in 1957.
But over the course of British history, the husband of a Queen has never held the title of King.
Prince Philip held the position of consort for nearly 70 years. Tim Graham/Getty Images
He reportedly turned down the chance to use the title of consort. Tim Graham Photo Library via Get
Men who are married to British queens do not become King, they can only hold the title of Prince Consort – not King Consort – so as to not outrank the Queen.
Prince Philip held the position of consort for nearly 70 years from Queen Elizabeth's accession to the throne in 1952 until his death in 2021, but never actually used the title.
According to correspondence by then-prime minister Sir Winston Churchill in 1954, the Queen had made the suggestion to the duke, but he "refused even to consider accepting any new title at present".
Men who are married to British queens do not become King, so as not to outrank the Queen. Samir Hussein/WireImage
What happened to the Princess Consort title?
Speculation around what Camilla's title may end up being has occurred since 2005 when she and Charles were married.
Initially, it was believed she would eventually be known as the princess consort when Charles took the throne.
But that changed last year when Elizabeth II made her wishes clear during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022.
King Charles' coronation: Who we will and won't see there. Polly Hanning/9Honey
At the time she said it was her "sincere wish" that Camilla took the title of Queen Consort when the time came.
"When, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me; and it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service," the former monarch said.
Watch 9News' special coverage of King Charles' coronation for free on 9Now.
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