1. A woman who possesses, in her own right, the sovereignty and royal power in a monarchy. • Among the more famous English queens are Queen Mary I, Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth II. — Also termed queen regnant.
2. The wife of a reigning king. • She has some royal prerogatives (such as having her own officers), but is in many ways legally no different from the rest of the king’s subjects. — Also termed queen consort.
3. A woman who rules in place of the actual sovereign (e.g., if the sovereign is a child). — Also termed queen regent.
4. DOWAGER-QUEEN.
