I've always been wondering why Prince Philip did not earn the title "King" when his wife, Queen Elizabeth II was crowned. This took ages for me to search for the answer until one day, I have finally found the answer from Reader's Digest. Mind you, this passage is adapted from Reader's Digest October 2007 issue. Well, here the fact goes.......
In the monarchal system, reigning kings and queens are considered "king regnant" or "queen regnant". The spouse of the king is dubbed "queen consort", a courtesy title giving her no official powers. The spouse of the reigning queen does not become "king consort" because the wife TAKES the RANK and TITLE of her HUSBAND, but not vice versa. Philip was Prince of Greece and Denmark but gave up his title when he became a British subject in 1947. On the eve of his marriage to then Princess Elizabeth on November 20, 1947, King George VI created Philip's new title, Prince and Duke of Edinburgh.
Titles for the progeny of the reigning monarch also differ based on sex. The first-born male becomes the "heir apparent", who will become king when the monarch dies or abdicates. If the monarch has a daughter-but a male heir is expected-she is called "heir presumptive". She becomes heir apparent only when it's clear there will be no male heir. Elizabeth II reigns as queen regnant. She was born heir presumptive and later was called heir apparent.
Sounds complicated huh the monarchy... anyway, what I know is that she is the queen of England. and Prince Philip is her husband.. hehe...
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