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January 2010
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A
queen
is a woman who rules a country which is a
monarchy
. She may either get this position because of
inheritance
or because she has married a
king
.
A
Queen Regnant
is a queen who is the
monarch
of a country. She usually comes to power after the death of the previous king or queen, who is her parent. A country that is ruled by a queen is called a
kingdom
? the same as a country ruled by a king.
Elizabeth II
was a Queen Regnant.
A
Queen Consort
is a queen who is not a monarch, but is married to one, such as a King.
Camilla
is a Queen Consort. However, the
husband
of a queen is not always called a king. For example, King
George VI
had a wife, who was called
Queen Elizabeth
. He had no sons, so he was followed by his elder daughter, who was also called Elizabeth. She became
Queen Elizabeth II
. She was married to
The Duke of Edinburgh
until his death on April 9, 2021; but when she became Queen he did not become King. This is because the title "King Consort" does not exist.
A
queen regnant
is head of state, and has all the powers of a
sovereign
.
A queen regnant does not keep the title of queen if she
abdicates
(resigns). No queen has ever abdicated in the
history of the United Kingdom
, but three abdications have occurred in the
Kingdom of the Netherlands
:
- Queen Wilhelmina
abdicated in 1948 and became Princess Wilhelmina. Her daughter became
Queen Juliana
.
- Queen Juliana abdicated and became Princess Juliana.
- Queen Beatrix
abdicated in 2013 and became Princess Beatrix.
A
queen consort
is the
wife
of a king. She is not the
head of state
, and does not have any powers unless they are given by the King or another
law
.
The last King of Britain (George VI) had a wife (Elizabeth) who was called Queen Elizabeth. He had no sons, so he was followed by his elder daughter. She is also called Elizabeth and became Queen Elizabeth II. She was married to the late Duke of Edinburgh; but when she became Queen he did not become King.
A
queen dowager
is the
widow
of a king.
A queen consort usually keeps the title of Queen after her husband's
death
, for example