QUEEN AND CONSORT

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27055, 2 June 1953, Page 14 (Supplement)

QUEEN AND CONSORT

Duke’s Special Place in Life of Nation

[Specially Written for

"The Press,” by NORAH GLYNN

LONDON, May 20.

Queen Elizabeth II is fortunate in having by her side a consort so well equipped to help her carry the heavy responsibilities of Monarchy, so popular with her subjects, and one whom she was able to marry from choice.

No other reigning British Queen —there have been five before Elizabeth ll—began her reign under quite such propitious circumstances.

The role of consort to a Queen is not an easy one to fill. After ten years as husband of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert wrote: “While a female sovereign has a great many disadvantages, yet, if she is married and her husband understands and does his duty, her position . . . will be found even to be stronger than that of a male sovereign.”

But he added that this required the husband “entirely to sink his own individual existence in that of his wife ...” and should “fill up every gap which, as a woman, she would naturally leave in the 'exercise of her regal functions; continually and anxiously watch every part of public business in order to be able to advise and assist her at any moment in any of the multifarious and difficult questions or duties brought before her, sometimes international, sometimes political, social or personal.”

Time changes, however, and there is no sign that the Duke of Edinburgh is having to sink his individual existence. True, he is “filling up the gaps,” but he is also carving out for himself a special place in the life of the country of his adoption.

Nevertheless, his role must be a supporting one. Until the Regency Act of 1937 made him one of the five Counsellors of State who act for the Sovereign during her absence or disablement, the consort of a Queen had no recognised place in the Constitution. He is not automatically accorded that status given to the consort of a King. He is not crowned as a Queen Consort is. At the State opening of Parliament he has a Chair of State a little to the left of the Sovereign’s throne. A Queen Consort has a throne

beside the King. On official occasions he must always walk a pace behind his wife and, while keeping at hand to give her assistance, must keep discreetly out of the limelight. Any titles bestowed on the husband of a Queen are courtesy titles. Prince Albert was married to Queen Victoria for 17 years before he was made “Prince Consort.” The title was conferred on him to overcome difficulties in foreign courts, the letters patent giving him precedence next to the Queen being operative in this country only. Whether the Duke*of Edinburgh will become “Prince Consort” is a matter for conjecture, but the Queen has already acknowledged that important place occupied by her husband by making him “First Gentleman” in the land wthin eight months of her accession. A few months earlier she had approved his appointment as Chairman of the Coronation Committee. One of the Duke’s most valuable assets as consort of the Queen of a modern democratic state is his personal knowledge of everyday people and everyday problems acquired during school days ' and in the Navy when he was free of Royal fetters, an asset which can help to strengthen enormously the link between the Queen and her people. Those who have seen the young Queen and her husband presiding at official functions have noted how closely the Duke of Edinburgh watches his wife, ready to lend her support when necessary. As Queen and Consort, these two young people are working out the same ideal partnership which characterises their relationship as husband and wife.