What’s the Definition of Queen? 

There are few words more symbolic of majesty and royal power than the title of queen. It’s an age-old term that conjures up centuries of sovereignty, regal grandeur, and historic greatness. The women who have held this eminent royal title throughout history have become legends of female leadership and icons of stately magnificence. 

While the characteristics of the queens of the ages have altered dramatically over the centuries, there are some core defining traits that apply to the vast majority of female monarchs. 

The Definition Of Queen

In the simplest terms, the definition of a queen is a female monarch. Historically, there have been two types of queens – hereditary sovereigns and royal consorts.

Hereditary Queens

A hereditary sovereign is a monarch who ascends to the throne due to their place in the line of succession. These are the heirs to the crown who become the next royal ruler when the existing one dies (or is removed). These are the women who become queens as a result of their heritage and can claim a royal bloodline and a right to the throne as their heritage. 

Queen Consorts

A royal consort is defined as the spouse of a king, queen or monarch. In the case of female spouses, i.e. wives, the term Queen Consort is used. An example of a well-known Queen Consort is HRH Camilla, Queen of the United Kingdom. Camilla is not a hereditary queen and would not ordinarily have become queen, had she not married King Charles III. 

Queen Camilla with Charles at the 80th D-Day anniversary in France, June 2024 –

What Defines A Queen? 

While the above distinctions define the rank of queen in technical terms, there are some traits and attributes shared by most queens that provide a more illustrative definition.  

Royal Heritage

The queens of history have typically hailed from a royal background of some sort. While it’s not unheard of for a sovereign to emerge from beyond the royal social circles, the customs and traditions inherent in many monarchies dictate that those who inherit the throne have a regal lineage and a legitimate claim to the crown in  respect to their bloodline, i.e. their parents, family and ancestors. 

Regal Lifestyle

Perhaps the most evocative characteristics of a queen’s image are the opulence and majesty of her lifestyle. The lives of early queens would have been vastly different to the daily lives of Renaissance monarchs, who themselves would have enjoyed a different lifestyle to contemporary queens, yet they’d all share a degree of social elevation, sovereign power and abundant wealth. For all the variety of their lifestyles over the centuries, a queen has historically been the ultimate VIP. 

Duty & Service

For all the glamour, decadence and refinement associated with the queens of the ages, many would also share a familiarity with the notions of duty, obligation, responsibility and service. An epitome of this humble attitude was a defining characteristic of the late Queen Elizabeth II, who, at the age of 25, vowed that her whole life, whether long or short, would be dedicated to serving her subjects and her country. This was a promise she kept valiantly during her tumultuous and record-breaking reign that lasted over seven decades.

Courtiers & Advisors

While the role of a queen may be a singular rank and a unique responsibility, it’s common for queens, like all sovereigns, to be surrounded by teams of advisors and courtiers. These are the armies of people who work behind the scenes to keep the monarchy running as smoothly as possible, as well as making sure the queen is informed on relevant political matters. Historically, these roles have been deemed a great honour and they were typically allocated to members of the royal family or high-ranking nobles. Some of the various roles required to support a king or queen involved duties that may seem odd or anachronistic in modern times – such as Warden of the Swans or Keeper of the Queen’s Stamps – yet they uphold a great tradition of sovereignty that’s a priceless legacy of royal life through the ages. 

Etiquette & Poise

Along with the official duties of a queen, another defining feature of many queens of the ages is their physical presence. The notion of being a queen demands an element of poise, composure and dignity. The young girls who were raised to be monarchs would also have extensive education in matters of etiquette and decorum. There are few places where these seemingly minor details matter more than in a royal function or regal ceremony. 

Legacy & History

Whatever the story of their journey to the throne, all the queens of the ages would be keenly aware of the historic nature of their appointment. However successful, popular, famous, or esteemed a sovereign may become, they’re destined to take up an indelible place in the history books. It’s likely that many iconic queens took this aspect of their role very seriously, wishing to do their best to carry out their role in a way that would ensure their tenure would be remembered as a successful one. For many ordinary people, it may be difficult to imagine the unique pressure that comes with knowing your every action may be subject to scrutiny for centuries to come, yet this is a feature of queenhood that many of history’s great sovereigns would know well. 

Family & Lineage

One of the most important roles of any monarch is to produce an heir. Throughout history, royal and noble ladies of all ranks have been raised to understand this crucial role within their family position. The importance of this aspect of continued lineage is even more important for those in the position of queen. While the custom has historically been for queens to bear many heirs and children, despite the dangers, there are some queens who be female famous for their break from this tradition, such as Queen Elizabeth I of England, who died childless – a legacy that lead to great political upheaval and unrest. 

The defining characteristics of history’s greatest or most famous queens reveal just how many aspects of this unique vocation have remained unchanged over many centuries. Though the outward appearance and lifestyles of medieval or Renaissance queens may seem radically different from those of a modern monarch, beneath the surface and behind the palace walls, it’s likely that these women would have much in common and a great deal they’d enjoy sharing with their fellow royal peers.

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