Why is Prince Philip not a king? The story behind his title

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh holds the title of prince as well as a dukedom. 

However, despite the 99-year-old being married to the British monarch Queen Elizabeth II, he isn’t known as King Philip, King Consort or Prince Consort.

So, why isn’t Philip king? Here we unpack why Prince Philip’s title remains as it is…

What is Prince Philip’s full title?

Philip’s title at birth, in 1921, was His Royal Highness Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark.

He discontinued these titles in 1947, upon marrying the then-Princess Elizabeth and joining the British Royal Family.

On marriage, he was made His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.

Notably, Elizabeth’s title, as the daughter of a monarch, became Her Royal Highness The Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh.

But Philip was made an official Prince of the United Kingdom in 1957, after the Queen had his titles raised beyond the dukedom.

Since then, his official title has been His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

Why is Prince Philip not King Philip?

As per the UK’s common law system, when a man and a woman marry, the woman takes on her husband’s name and rank. 

As a title legally forms part of someone’s name in most cases, titles in the Royal Family work in the same way as if an untitled couple got married and the wife took her husband’s name.

This is evidenced in the Edinburgh dukedom, as it is with Prince William and Kate Middleton becoming The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge upon marriage.

However, when a female royal marries, because her rank is higher than the man, he takes on her rank instead. 

The Queen has the highest-ranking title in the Royal Family.

So, why is Philip not King Consort or Prince Consort?

The wife of a king is usually known as a queen consort, and does take the title of queen – although she doesn’t rule as the monarch. 

And the husband of a queen could be known as either prince consort or perhaps even the rarer king consort.

However, these titles need to be bestowed by the monarch – and often agreed by the government.

In 1954, Winston Churchill discussed with 10 Downing Street what Queen Elizabeth II’s husband’s title should be. 

Churchill suggested Prince Consort, though this was said to be rejected by The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh.

Other options, including Prince of the Commonwealth, were also vetoed – as revealed in numerous letters.

Regardless, the matter was resolved in 1957, when Philip was made an official Prince of the United Kingdom.

His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh was his final title – with a notable capital ‘the’, which is a style usually reserved for the children of monarchs.

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