The differences between a Queen Regnant, Queen Consort and Queen Dowager

There have been a lot of confusion over the different types of Queens since our very own Camilla became Queen. This blog will educate those who still do not understand the differences between Queens Regnant, Consorts, Mothers and Dowagers.

-Queen Regnant: A Queen Regnant is a Queen who possesses and exercise’s sovereign powers. Her Consort is a Prince because if he was a King consort then he would outrank his wife. 

Some of the Regnants for the UK: 

-Queen Mary I Of England (July 1553 to 17th November 1558) 

-Queen Elizabeth I (17th November 1558 to 24th March 1603) 

-Queen Mary II (1689 to 28th December 1684) 

-Queen Anne (1st May 1707 to 1st August 1714) 

-Queen Victoria (24th May 1819 to 22nd January 1901) 

-Queen Elizabeth II (6th February 1953 to 8th December 2022) 

Famous Foreign Queen Regnants: 

-Queen Margrethe II Of Denmark (14th January 1972 and abdicated on 14th January 2024) 

-Queen Beatrix Of The Netherlands (30th April 1980 and abdicated on 30th April 2013) 

Queen Consorts: A Queen Consort is a title given to a wife of a reigning King. But is styled as Her Majesty The Queen. 

After her husbands death she is styled as Her Majesty Queen (Their Name). 

Since her coronation in 2023 the current Queen Consort, Camilla has been styled as Her Majesty The Queen per tradition. She was initially styled at Her Majesty The Queen Consort to distinguish from her recently deceased Mother-In-Law Queen Elizabeth II who was a Queen Regnant and was also styled as Her Majesty The Queen. 

Popular Queen Consort in the UK: 

-Queen Alexandra married to King Edward VII (22nd January 1901 to 6th May 1910) 

-Queen Mary Of Teck married to King George V (6th May 1910 to 22nd June 1936) 

-Queen Elizabeth married to King George VI (11th December 1937 to 6th February 1953) 

Queen Camilla married to King Charles III (8th September 2022) 

There are also Queen Consorts around the world too here’s the most popular current Queens Consort: 

-Queen Camilla married to King Charles III Consort to UK and The Commonwealth Realms (8th September 2022) 

-Queen Mathilde married to King Philippe Of The Belgiums (21st July 2013) 

-Queen Mary married to King Frederick X Of Denmark (14th January 2024) 

-Queen Rania married to King Abdullah II Of Jordan (7th February 1999) 

-Queen Maxima married to King Willem-Alexander Of The Netherlands (30th April 2013) 

-Queen Sonja married to King Harald V Of Norway (17th January 1991) 

-Queen Letizia married to King Felippe VI Of Spain (19th June 2014) 

-Queen Silvia married to King Carl XVI Gustaf Of Sweden (19th June 1976) 

Queen Mothers: A Queen Mother is widow of a King and a mother of a sovereign. A Queen Mother was a title that has been around since the 1560s but was never really used until Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother used it in 1952 so people didn’t get confused with her daughter Queen Elizabeth II who had the same name as her. 

Here’s a list of popular Queens Mother: 

-Queen Elizabeth mother of Queen Elizabeth II (6th February 1952 to 30th March 2002) 

-Queen Beatrix mother of King Willhem Alexander (30th April 2013) 

-Queen Alexandra Of Denmark mother of King George V (6th May 1910 to 20th November 1925) 

-Queen Margrethe II Of Denmark mother of King Fredrick X (14th January 2024) 

-Queen Mary Of Teck mother to King Edward VII and King George VII (20th June 1936 to 24th March 1953) 

-Queen Ingrid Of Sweden mother of Queen Margrethe II (14th January 1910 to 7th November 2000) 

Queen Dowagers: Queen Dowagers are queens who are widows of a king who doesn’t have a sovereign child. 

All names above are all Queens Dowagers who have ever been consorts to Kings where their consorts are widowed. 

Queen Camilla will be a Queen Dowager when her husband King Charles III passes. 

I hope that this blog brings information that all current and past Queens Consorts are styled as Her Majesty The Queen. Including Queen Camilla yes she may be a divorcee but let’s be honest King Henry VIII had 6 Queen consorts during his reign. And he divorced all 5 of them. 

On the accession day of Queen Elizabeth II for her 70th anniversary she wrote in a statement that “In the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King. I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support 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” 

This statement puts to mind that Camilla will be KNOWN as Queen Consort. Which means that she will be Queen Consort but will be styled as Her Majesty The Queen via to how other Queen Consorts are KNOWN. 

I hope that clears the whole Queen Elizabeth II wishes in the ascension statement on the 6th February 2022. 

For those who have asked. Queen Camilla will always outrank Prince William as she is a Queen and he is a Prince. When however William becomes King he will be also to outrank Camilla as she would be known as a Dowager Queen. 

As it stands at the moment and for many many years to come Queen Camilla outranks Prince William. Queen Camilla is also the first councillor of state that would be called upon incase The King is unable to do anything. The councillors of state always go in order from the monarchs consort then to the heir. 

Also currently The King is still able to do most things like look at his red box everyday and meet with The Prime Minister and hold various other meetings either online or over the phone. With the upcoming Commonwealth service on the 11th March he was able to choose his Consort to attend. He will however be making a video address across the nation and Commonwealth instead of being there in person.