The mother of a king has a special title that indicates her status as the monarch’s parent. The specific title varies depending on the country, but generally she is referred to as the Queen Mother or Queen Dowager.
Queen Mother
Queen Mother is the most common title for the mother of a reigning king. Typically, the Queen Mother was queen consort through her marriage to the previous king, but now her son has inherited the throne. Some examples of Queen Mothers include:
- Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, mother of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
- Queen Ntombi Twala, mother of King Mswati III of Eswatini
- Queen Sirikit, mother of King Vajiralongkorn of Thailand
The Queen Mother may play an active role in public life, supporting her son at state events and undertaking royal duties of her own. She remains an influential figure as the king’s closest female relative.
Queen Dowager
Queen Dowager is a historical title that indicates a Queen Mother who is also a widow. For example, after the death of King George VI, Queen Elizabeth was known as Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother while her daughter Queen Elizabeth II reigned. Had Queen Elizabeth outlived her daughter, she would have been known as Queen Elizabeth, Queen Dowager.
Other Queen Dowagers in history include Mary of Teck, Victoria of the United Kingdom, and Alexandra of Denmark. Today, the simpler title Queen Mother is generally used instead.
Queen Regent
A Queen Regent is a mother who rules temporarily on behalf of her underage son who is the heir to the throne. This situation occurs if the reigning king dies while his eldest son and successor is still a minor.
Some examples of Queen Regents include:
- Queen Marie de’ Medici, mother of King Louis XIII of France
- Queen Emma of Hawaii, mother of King Kamehameha IV and Kamehameha V
- Queen Catherine of Austria, mother of King Sigismund III of Poland
The Queen Regent acts as monarch until her son reaches the age of majority and can rule in his own right. Once the son becomes king, his mother reverts to being Queen Mother.
Queen Grandmother
Queen Grandmother is an extremely rare title that would only apply to a Queen Mother who is also a grandmother to the reigning monarch. This would only occur in unusual succession circumstances.
The only true Queen Grandmother in history was Maria Theresa of Austria, mother of Queen Marie Antoinette of France. When Marie Antoinette’s son Louis XVII briefly nominally reigned, Maria Theresa could be considered both his Queen Mother and Queen Grandmother.
Today, with less complex succession, it is unlikely we will see a Queen Grandmother again. The mother of a reigning queen or king will simply be referred to as Queen Mother.
Queen Consort
To avoid confusion, it is helpful to note that a Queen Consort is very different from a Queen Mother. A Queen Consort is the wife of a reigning king, whereas a Queen Mother is mother to the reigning monarch.
While there are many Queen Consorts, only one Queen Mother will exist at any given time in a country. Queen Consorts acquire their title through marriage, while the Queen Mother earns the title by giving birth to the heir who succeeds to the throne.
Conclusion
In summary, the mother of a reigning king is most commonly known as the Queen Mother. Other titles like Queen Dowager, Queen Regent, and Queen Grandmother may apply in specific historical contexts. The title indicates the Queen Mother’s status as mother of the monarch while differentiating her from the Queen Consort, the king’s wife.
| Title | Definition |
|---|---|
| Queen Mother | The most common title for the mother of a reigning king |
| Queen Dowager | A Queen Mother who is also a widow |
| Queen Regent | A Queen Mother who rules on behalf of her minor son |
| Queen Grandmother | Extremely rare title for a Queen Mother who is also a reigning monarch’s grandmother |
| Queen Consort | The wife of a reigning king |
The position of Queen Mother is one of power and influence. Though no longer queen in her own right, a Queen Mother continues to play an important role supporting her son the king throughout his reign. She offers stability, continuity, and invaluable experience to the monarch as an additional source of counsel and guidance.
The mother-son relationship between a Queen Mother and King is unique and invaluable to the institution of monarchy. The Queen Mother provides a personal, human side to the Crown through her profound bond with the monarch. This maternity colors the public perception of the royal family and often makes the Queen Mother an extremely beloved figure among their subjects.
The Queen Mother’s dual roles as both mother to the monarch and matriarch to the royal family provide her with distinctive soft power. She exemplifies maternal care for the nation through her relationship with the Crown. Throughout British history, Queen Mothers from Victoria to Elizabeth steadfastly served the Crown while earning a special place in the hearts of their people.
The title Queen Mother represents an adaptation of monarchy to fit modern sensibilities. Consorts are no longer necessary rulers, but the symbolic value of motherhood persists. Even today, the Queen Mother represents continuity, stability and the human side of monarchy by virtue of her bond with the sovereign.