Why Prince Philip Was Not Crowned King Consort

One of the most frequently asked questions about the British monarchy is whether Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II's husband, was ever asserted to have been a part of the royal lineage as a King consort. Indeed, many people have mistakenly assumed that King consort is a position that exists in British royalty. While the Prince consort does have a significant place in the royal family, there is no such thing as a King consort. Let us delve into the reasons behind this misunderstanding and why Prince Philip was never crowned a King consort.

Understanding the Royal Titles: King vs. Queen

The British monarchy is one of the oldest in the world, with numerous layers of tradition and titles. To start with, there is a clear hierarchy within the royal titles. A king outranks a queen. A King regnant is the reigning monarch, and his wife is the Queen consort. Conversely, a Queen regnant is the reigning monarch, and her husband is typically given a title such as Prince or Duke.

The Myth of King Consort

The concept of a King consort is a regular old chestnut, essentially a myth perpetuated by those who have not thoroughly researched the British monarchy. A king is always seen as more powerful than a queen, making it impossible for a queen's husband to hold a title that outranks her. This understanding is rooted in the tradition of monarchical hierarchy, where the ruler's gender does not determine their title.

Practical Reasons for the Title Change

Prince Philip did not hold the title of King consort for several practical reasons. First, the title Prince consort was created to address concerns from the British Parliament and public during Queen Victoria's reign. Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband, was not a British subject, but a prince from Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. To prevent any doubts about his position, the title Prince consort was introduced to convey that he held no real authority in the governance of the country.

Philip's Personal Background and the Title Issue

Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was not Philip II of Spain or King of England. He was born into the Greek and Danish royal families and married Queen Elizabeth II in 1947. For historical context, Philip II was the King of Spain, who married Queen Mary I. However, since Philip was already a king in his own right, he could not hold the title of King consort. Furthermore, he had given up his titles as King of Greece and Denmark when he married into the British royal family.

The Political Arrangement and Ceremony

The marriage between Queen Mary and Philip II was primarily a political arrangement, as was the case with the marriage between Queen Anne and Prince George of Denmark. Philip II did not spend significant time in England, while Mary spent more time in Spain. In the 16th century, their relationship was more about political unity than personal affection, which starkly contrasts with the historical relationship between Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II.

Conclusion: The Title of Prince Consort

Ultimately, the title of Prince consort was more fitting for Prince Philip due to his background and personal circumstances. The creation of a new title, such as King consort, was unnecessary and would have been anachronistic given the context of the modern British monarchy. The title Prince consort clearly conveyed his role and position in the royal family without causing any misunderstandings or doubts.