Template:Infobox nobility The term queen typically refers to what is actually a queen consort, who is the wife of a king. A queen consort shares her husband's rank and titles, but does not share the sovereignty of her husband. Under certain circumstances, a queen's title and/or responsibilities change:
A queen regnant (plural: queens regnant) is a female monarch who reigns in her own right, in contrast with a queen consort. The queen regnant also differs from a queen regent, who is the guardian of a child monarch reigning temporarily in their stead. Caliana of Sable is considered a queen regnant as well as a queen dowager.
A queen regnant possesses and exercises sovereign powers. The husband of a queen regnant traditionally does not share his wife's rank, title or sovereignty. However, the concept of a king consort has been put into practice on occasion throughout history.
A queen dowager is the widow of a king. A queen mother is a queen dowager who is also the mother of a reigning sovereign.