'Queen Camilla'?

Why do we have a queen mother but not a kings mother

Because The Queen Mother was the mother of the Queen .

I’ve just heard Harry is coming to the Coronation. I think he owes Camilla an apology imo, but she won’t get it.

Ethelwashere1

Why do we have a queen mother but not a kings mother

Because she’s dead?

Queen Mary was a kings mother and a queen’s grandmother

I seem to remember that Queen Mary initially held the title of Queen Mother when her sons Edward V11 and subsequently George V1 came to the throne, but on the latter’s death was known as the Queen Dowager, a title she held until her own death a short time before the coronation of Elizabeth 11

vegansrock

Perhaps we should be told what actually is their role? Pose for photos, wave, smile, meet and greet, give the plebs something to gossip about, open a few buildings - anything else?

The monarch is head of state

The King reigns, but he does not rule. Ruling is done by his government, and as head of state in the UK the King is constitutionally obliged to follow the government’s advice. His main functions as head of state are to appoint the Prime Minister, and all the other ministers; to open new sessions of parliament; and to give royal assent to bills passed by parliament, signifying that they have become law.

The King also chairs monthly meetings of the Privy Council, to approve Orders in Council; he receives incoming and outgoing ambassadors; he makes a host of other appointments, such as the senior judges, but in all this he acts on the advice of the government. He has a weekly audience with the Prime Minister, and receives daily boxes of state papers for his signature, and for information. He also has regular meetings with senior officials of all kinds.

The monarch is also head of the nation

There is more

www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/explainers/what-role-monarchy

The same as any other a-political Head of State in fact, but with the addition of supporting many worthy organisations and charities which a President would not do in all probability.

Lexisgranny

I seem to remember that Queen Mary initially held the title of Queen Mother when her sons Edward V11 and subsequently George V1 came to the throne, but on the latter’s death was known as the Queen Dowager, a title she held until her own death a short time before the coronation of Elizabeth 11

Edward VII’s mother was Queen Victoria.

All the ‘old’ queens are ‘dowagers’ I suppose, to differentiate them from the new ‘young’ queen, but I think ‘Queen Mother’ sounds so much cosier and appropriate.

In reply to some belittling comments. I am aware that our late queen is dead. I meant hypothetically, in history I have never heard of anyone referred to as the king mother, being the male counterpart of a queen mother. I may have missed this title as my interest in history is mainly the last two centuries but I would be interested if someone could enlighten me. Thanks

Ethelwashere1

In reply to some belittling comments. I am aware that our late queen is dead. I meant hypothetically, in history I have never heard of anyone referred to as the king mother, being the male counterpart of a queen mother. I may have missed this title as my interest in history is mainly the last two centuries but I would be interested if someone could enlighten me. Thanks

Could it be that Queen Mother refers to the lady rather than the sovereign of whom she is the mother? So, if Diana had been queen, when William came to the throne, she would have been Queen Mother?

Sorry to offend merlotgran of course you are completely right I missed off a ‘1’.

Ethelwashere1

In reply to some belittling comments. I am aware that our late queen is dead. I meant hypothetically, in history I have never heard of anyone referred to as the king mother, being the male counterpart of a queen mother. I may have missed this title as my interest in history is mainly the last two centuries but I would be interested if someone could enlighten me. Thanks

Queen Mother is a term that has been in use for centuries as the title for the widow of a King who is also the mother of a reigning monarch.

However, it became in general use for the late Queen Mother because she had the same name, Elizabeth, as that of her daughter, the monarch.
It avoided confusion.

Daddima

Ethelwashere1

In reply to some belittling comments. I am aware that our late queen is dead. I meant hypothetically, in history I have never heard of anyone referred to as the king mother, being the male counterpart of a queen mother. I may have missed this title as my interest in history is mainly the last two centuries but I would be interested if someone could enlighten me. Thanks

Could it be that Queen Mother refers to the lady rather than the sovereign of whom she is the mother? So, if Diana had been queen, when William came to the throne, she would have been Queen Mother?

Officially yes, but in all probability she would have been Queen Di!

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Reported.

Aveline She isn't and isn't trying to be a queen in the way "the late queen was". The late queen was the monarch; the present queen is the monarch's wife. It's different.

Ethelwashere1

Why do we have a queen mother but not a kings mother

The Queen Mother had the same name as her daughter, so QM was tagged on to differentiate.
What if Philip was still alive? He'd be The King's Father?

Now that she is crowned I hope she is referred to as Queen Camilla, as I found the recent references to 'The Queen' most confusing, particularly when the Duke of Edinburgh chipped in to the conversation,

BryanAdams

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Funnily enough, Diana had a huge crush on Bryan Adams.
If I remember correctly, there were some whispers that there was an affair

Ethelwashere I owe you an apology for my comment a few weeks back, I honestly didn’t mean to sound belittling at all, it was me who was the stupid one

Ethelwashere1

Why do we have a queen mother but not a kings mother

She decided that she wanted to be called that , she didn't like the sound of "Dowager Queen".

Ooh, I love that.
Dowager Queen Fanny

Not that I wish to be a widow; me being stupid again

Margaret Beaufort, mother of Henry Tudor who became Henry V11, was known as, My Lady, the King's Mother.
Sorry I can't do links, Google will give more information about her. I'm not sure if she was still alive when Henry V111 ascended to the throne. Then she'd be , My Lady, the King's Grandmother.!

Grannmarie

Margaret Beaufort, mother of Henry Tudor who became Henry V11, was known as, My Lady, the King's Mother.
Sorry I can't do links, Google will give more information about her. I'm not sure if she was still alive when Henry V111 ascended to the throne. Then she'd be , My Lady, the King's Grandmother.!

She was the King's Grandmother for a couple of months before she died in June 1509

She was married four times, the first aged about 7.