Queen (monarchy)
A Queen is an individual who holds a high position in a royal family.
The royal family of the United Kingdom recognizes three different kinds of Queen.
- A Queen dowager is the widow a reigning King, who remains entitled to be called "Queen" even after their husband's heir has taken power. King Charles III's grandfather married Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. When he died his widow, colloquially called "the Queen Mum", was a Queen dowager.
- A Queen consort is the wife of a reigning King. King Charles's wife, the former Camilla Parker-Bowles, is a Queen consort.
- A Queen regnant is a reigning monarch. In the United Kingdom both male and female children of a reigning monarch can be the next in line to inherit the throne. The late Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Victoria were instances of Queen regnants.