queen mother

noun

1. a queen dowager who is mother of a reigning sovereign.

queen mother

noun

1. the widow of a former king who is also the mother of the reigning sovereign

Word History and Origins

Origin of queen mother¹

First recorded in 1570–80

Example Sentences

Charles sidestepped a similar controversy when Buckingham Palace announced that his wife, Camilla, wouldn’t wear the crown of Queen Elizabeth, the queen mother, on coronation day.

From Seattle Times

Widows of British kings are called “dowager queens,” or, if their children accede to the throne, “queen mother.”

From Washington Post

But it turned out to be her sister, Princess Margaret, and the queen mother.

From Seattle Times

Bassett, who portrays the grieving queen mother in Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” sequel, has been nominated for a supporting actress Oscar.

From Los Angeles Times

It was last brought out in public for the 2002 funeral of the queen mother, the last person to wear it, and the crown rested on a purple velvet pillow atop her coffin.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• monarch
• ruler