Yes, a queen can marry a king, though their titles do not necessarily remain the same after the marriage.
Marriage and Royal Titles
While the combination of titles might sound symmetrical, the roles and titles can change upon marriage. Here's a breakdown:
- Queen Regnant: A queen regnant is a female monarch who reigns in her own right.
- King: A king is a male monarch who reigns in his own right.
- King Consort: A king consort is the husband of a queen regnant. This is a rarely used title, but it clarifies his role.
How Does This Play Out?
- If a queen regnant marries a king who is also a monarch ruling in his own right, their respective positions generally remain separate. They each maintain their kingdom and power.
- If a queen regnant marries a man who is not a reigning monarch, he typically becomes king consort. For example, as the reference indicates:
- Mary, Queen of Scots married Francis, Dauphin of France (later Francis II of France). Upon their marriage, Francis became king consort of Scotland. He did not rule France, as he only became king of France after their marriage.
- A woman marrying a king becomes a queen consort.
Examples of Royal Marriages
| Scenario | Result | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Queen Regnant + King | Each retains their own titles and kingdoms. | (Hypothetical scenario of a Queen regnant marrying another King) |
| Queen Regnant + Man | The man can become a King Consort. | Mary, Queen of Scots married Francis II of France (king consort). |
| Woman + King | The woman becomes Queen Consort. |
Key Takeaway:
A queen regnant can marry a king. However, the titles they hold depend on their pre-existing positions and the rules of their respective kingdoms. The key term to understand is "king consort," which is the title given to the husband of a queen regnant.
