King Consort - Definition and Overview

King consort is a title given in some monarchies to the husband of a Queen regnant. It is a symbolic title only, the sole constitutional function of the holder being similar to a Queen consort, namely to produce an heir to the throne. Spain, Portugal, and Scotland have all had kings consort; however, since the rank of king normally outranks that of queen, in most monarchies the Queen's husband is given the title of prince or prince consort instead. In Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, the queen's husband is made a prince.

Queen Mary I, Queen regnant of England (reigned 1553 - 1558), styled her husband Philip King of England; Philp was later in his own right King Philip II of Spain (reigned 1556 - 1598) and King Philip I of Portugal (reigned 1580 - 1598).

The husband of Queen regnant Mary II of England (reigned 1689 - 1694) became King regnant and co-ruler William III of England (1689 - 1702). Mary had requested from the Parliament to pass an act allowing them to rule jointly as co-sovereigns. This was the only such case in British history. After her death William continued to rule on his own. Conversely, Philip of Spain lost his English title when his wife died.

Victoria of the United Kingdom (reigned 1837 - 1901) wanted to make her husband Albert King consort. But the government refused to introduce a bill allowing it as Albert was a foreigner. She instead gave him the title of Prince Consort in 1857.

In the United Kingdom, there is no automatic right of the consort of a Queen to receive the title of Prince. Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom (reigned 1952 - ) did not create her husband Philip, Duke of Edinburgh a prince until 1956, four years after her accession.