MovieChat Forums > The Crown (2016) Discussion > It seems sexist and unfair that...

It seems sexist and unfair that...

posted 7 years ago by coleburg83
2 replies | jump to latest

when a woman marries a ruling British King, she becomes Queen-Consort, but when a man marries the ruling British Queen, he is not given the title King-Consort, ie Prince Philip instead of King Philip. While Kate Middleton will become a Queen if and when William assumes the throne.

Lord Melbourne's explanation to Victoria seems absurd and made her look stupid and weak for accepting it and not fighting for her husband. He told her that she shouldn't give Parliament the power to make Kings or they will unmake them. It's so ridiculous. A King-Consort would have the exact same position and lack of authority that a Prince-Consort had. The only difference would be the title and form of address.

Maybe they should have addressed that in the series if they wanted to focus on Philip's position. Her mother was a Queen despite only being the sovereign's spouse like he is.

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You did just fine, Clarence. Now go get yo'self some hot cornbread!

[–] firstwinsgop-1 7 years ago

It is a sensible way of doing things in that it formalizes who wears the pants in terms of head of state. No King is going to be bothered by his wife taking the title of Queen, but a Queen Regent is in an entirely different position. The Queen has dominion over the realm but a husband has dominion over his wife. To elevate the husband by granting him the title of "King" would be to invite confusion over who really rules.

A woman needs that extra layer of authority to make up for the natural inequality of the sexes.

[–] LiteraryLadyofLothlorien 7 years ago

A King will always be perceived as being more powerful than a Queen. Even if they are called King-consort.

To you, Baldrick, the Renaissance was just something that happened to other people, wasn't it?