Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, held the title of Prince Consort for 69 years. He was not King Consort due to a Royal tradition which dictates that women do not transfer their Royal titles to their husband.
As the newly appointed King Charles III ’s wife, formerly the Duchess of Cornwall, became the Queen Consort, many have questioned why Prince Philip didn’t take on the title of King Consort. Royal family historian Dr Cindy McCreery believes a long held tradition is behind Prince Philip’s title.
Dr Cindy told Abc that in a previously male dominated world the ruling Queen needed to make sure the public recognised her authority as the Head of State. In order to do this her husband wouldn’t take on the title of King consort as this helped to "bolster the authority of the woman".
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Similarly to a Queen or a King Consort, as a Prince Consort Prince Philip had no constitutional status. However he was “granted the style and title of Royal Highness on 19 November 1947”.
It was Sir Winston Churchill who proposed making Philip Prince Consort following the Queen’s Coronation in 1953. Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria, also held this title.
It was also proposed that Prince Philip would take on the role of Prince of the Commonwealth, or Prince of the Realm. Talks took place between the UK Government, Buckingham Palace, and members of the Commonwealth, but the title remained Prince Consort, according to Parliament records.
Philip also held the role of Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich, all of which were bestowed on him on 20 November 1947. The Prince consort had been a member of the House of Lords from July 1948, however he declined a life peerage in November 1999 when most hereditary peers were expelled.
Although there have been many Queen Consorts throughout the Royal Family’s history the title is often shortened to Queen. For example, the Queen Mother became known simply as the Queen during her marriage to King George VI.
Camilla now holds the title of Queen Consort, having married King Charles III in 2005 and spending 17 years in Royal service. She will be crowned alongside King Charles during a coronation.
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