Royal titles don’t always follow the logic you’d expect. While Camilla is styled as Queen alongside her husband King Charles III, Prince Philip remained a prince throughout Queen Elizabeth II’s long reign.

The difference lies in centuries-old rules governing who can use the title of “king” and how male and female royal consorts are recognised. Here’s how those traditions developed – and why they still shape the monarchy today.

What is a royal consort?

A royal consort is the spouse of a reigning monarch.

Prince Philip was the longest-serving consort in the British monarchy, serving for 69 years, from the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1952 until his death in 2021.

The current queen consort is Camilla, the wife of King Charles III. She has held the position since her husband ascended to the throne in 2022.

Why Camilla is Queen but Philip wasn’t King

Female and male consorts are referred to differently. While female consorts are referred to as Her Majesty The Queen during her husband’s reign and Her Majesty Queen [first name] after his death, the husband of a reigning queen doesn’t share the regal title and style of his wife. The title ‘king consort’ doesn’t exist, with the title ‘King’ reserved for the reigning monarch who has inherited the throne.

Are male consorts all princes?

Male consorts don’t necessarily have the title of Prince either, although many do. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was born into the Greek and Danish royal families, so had the title of Prince from birth, but he later renounced his foreign titles when he married Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II).

After Queen Elizabeth ascended to the throne in 1952, she formally created him a British Prince in 1957, and he became known as Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

The difference between male and female royal consorts

Queens consort take part in coronation ceremonies, undertaking many of the same ceremonies as the monarch, whereas male consorts aren’t crowned or anointed during the coronation ceremony.

What about prince consorts?

Queen Victoria gave her husband Prince Albert the official title of Prince Consort a century earlier, several years after they wed – but this isn’t particularly common practice.  

Top image: King Charles III and Queen Camilla appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace following the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla in May 2023 (credit: Getty Images)