Why wasn’t Prince Philip a king?
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh held the title of prince as well as a dukedom.
However, despite the late Duke having been married to the British monarch Queen Elizabeth II for over 70 years, he wasn’t known as King Philip, King Consort or Prince Consort.
So, why wasn’t Philip known as the King?
The answer has to do with royal tradition.
What was Prince Philip’s full title?
Philip’s title at birth, in 1921, was His Royal Highness Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark.
He discontinued these titles in 1947, upon marrying the then-Princess Elizabeth and joining the British Royal Family.
On marriage, he was made His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.
Notably, Elizabeth’s title, as the daughter of a monarch, became Her Royal Highness The Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh.
She did not become known as Queen Elizabeth II until her coronation in 1953.
Philip was made an official Prince of the United Kingdom in 1957, after the Queen had his titles raised beyond the dukedom.
Why was Prince Philip not King Philip?
As per the UK’s common law system, when a man and a woman marry, the woman takes on her husband’s name and rank.
As a title legally forms part of someone’s name in most cases, titles in the Royal Family work in the same way as if an untitled couple got married and the wife took her husband’s name.
This is evidenced in the Edinburgh dukedom, as it is with Prince William and Kate Middleton becoming The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge upon marriage.
However, when a female royal marries, because her rank is higher than the man, he takes on her rank instead.
The Queen has the highest-ranking title in the Royal Family.
Why was Philip not King Consort or Prince Consort?
The wife of a king is usually known as a queen consort, and does take the title of queen – although she doesn’t rule as the monarch.
And the husband of a queen could be known as either prince consort or perhaps even the rarer king consort.
However, these titles need to be bestowed by the monarch – and often agreed by the government.
In 1954, Winston Churchill discussed with 10 Downing Street what Queen Elizabeth II’s husband’s title should be.
Churchill suggested Prince Consort, though this was said to be rejected by The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh.
Other options, including Prince of the Commonwealth, were also vetoed – as revealed in numerous letters.
Regardless, the matter was resolved in 1957, when Philip was made an official Prince of the United Kingdom.
His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh was his final title – with a notable capital ‘the’, which is a style usually reserved for the children of monarchs.
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Prince Philip funeral: Key details
Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh passed away on Friday April 9, just two months shy of his 100th birthday.
Today, the Duke was interred in the Royal Vault at St George’s Chapel - where he will remain until his wife of 73 years dies, whereupon they will be buried together.
Only 30 mourners were present at the funeral due to current Covid-19 restrictions - with the Queen having to sit alone.
Although well-wishers were urged to not line the streets of Windsor, they could watch the ceremony on TV.
Another way to pay your respects to the late Duke is to sign the official online book of condolence.
Here are the key details: