# Does the spouse of a Prime Minister have an official title? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 22, 2011, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-spouse-of-a-prime-minister-have-an-official-title/575540 "2011-03-22T00:05:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-spouse-of-a-prime-minister-have-an-official-title/575540/21 "2011-03-22T02:32:32Z")
Are there any countries other than the U.S. where the spouse (or whatever else kind of partner) of the president or the prime minister is considered to be a significant figure? My impression is that there’s no equivalent in other countries at all. It’s considered kind of offensive to even do any significant amount of discussion of them in the news, or so I understand. The First Lady is considered such an important figure in the U.S. (as being the official hostess for the White House) that in those cases where the President isn’t married, a niece or some other such relative of the President is designated as the First Lady for the purpose of being the offical hostess for the White House: > **[First Lady of the United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Lady_of_the_United_States)** > > The First Lady of the United States (FLOTUS) is the title held by the hostess of the White House, usually the wife of the president of the United States, concurrent with the president's term in office. Although the first lady's role has never been codified or officially defined, she figures prominently in the political and social life of the United States. Since the early 20th century, the first lady has been assisted by official staff, now known as the Office of the First Lady and headquarter... Incidentally, mutantmoose, I wouldn’t take the TV show _The West Wing_ as being an accurate picture of how the White House actually works. Like most American TV shows, it just makes up nonsense whenever it feels like it. It’s very annoying having to explain to foreigners who watch a lot of American TV that the image they get of the U.S. is often wildly inaccurate. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-spouse-of-a-prime-minister-have-an-official-title/575540/22 "2011-03-22T03:07:53Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > A question for Canadians: is 24 Sussex Drive, Ottawa a national symbol? I know it’s not on par with the White House since it’s only been in use for the past half century, but would the average Canadian 9 year old (or for that matter the average Canadian 49 year old) recognize [a picture of it](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4543330466_8e396deb8e_z.jpg) like most Americans (presumably) would a picture of the White House? (10 Downing St.- while I’m sure it’s lovely inside- must surely be the plainest famous mansion in existence.) Another reason it’s not on par with the White House is that it’s _just_ a residence and not the PM’s office. Also, unlike the White House, it’s actually pretty hard to see. It’s behind some trees and whatnot, the grounds aren’t open to the public, and since it’s basically just a house with little in the way of public space, there are no tours. ---
**Author:** ![Shmendrik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Shmendrik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shmendrik)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-spouse-of-a-prime-minister-have-an-official-title/575540/23 "2011-03-22T03:25:51Z")
> [@acsenray](#): > > (Editorializing: I wish that were the case in our country. I don’t believe anyone in a democratic, secular, egalitarian system should have any status solely on the basis of being married to someone with status. I wish we would dispense with the notion of a first lady altogether. I find it offensive. The prospect of a Hillary Clinton presidency offered at least the hope that we could dispense with the notion once and for all.) That’s a joke, right? If Hillary Clinton were president, we’d have one of the most high-profile politically-involved presidential spouses in history, second only to Eleanor Roosevelt, if that. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-spouse-of-a-prime-minister-have-an-official-title/575540/24 "2011-03-22T03:28:41Z")
I think that’s debatable. I’m pretty sure that Hillary would want to keep Bill in the background and Bill himself isn’t as able to do as many things as he used to. Believe me, the Republicans would have a field day with him otherwise. Furthermore, the very prospect of people wondering what to do with the title “first lady” would give us an opportunity to dump it altogether. ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-spouse-of-a-prime-minister-have-an-official-title/575540/25 "2011-03-22T03:46:23Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > Another reason it’s not on par with the White House is that it’s _just_ a residence and not the PM’s office. > > Also, unlike the White House, it’s actually pretty hard to see. It’s behind some trees and whatnot, the grounds aren’t open to the public, and since it’s basically just a house with little in the way of public space, there are no tours. Or take a look … [Google Maps](http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=&q=&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Kanata,+Ottawa+Division,+Ontario&ll=45.444472,-75.692695&spn=0.0021,0.005681&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=45.444168,-75.692874&panoid=DHRRYbto1VvDfmYVfNXjQQ&cbp=12,292.77,,0,0.62) ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-spouse-of-a-prime-minister-have-an-official-title/575540/26 "2011-03-22T04:03:06Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > Another reason it’s not on par with the White House is that it’s _just_ a residence and not the PM’s office. This is a good point. The White House is the symbol of one of the three branches of the US federal government. I would say that 24 Sussex doesn’t have that function for us. Parliament is the builidng that symbolises government, both legislative and executive, since our executive sit in Parliament. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-spouse-of-a-prime-minister-have-an-official-title/575540/27 "2011-03-22T04:23:17Z")
> [@Michael\_of\_Lucan](#): > > In other countries, it is unusual for a leader’s spouse to receive status (purely as spouse) in any political structure except a monarchy or dictatorship. It’s not unusual in Latin America. In fact, the position is often even more formalized. “La Primera Dama” at least in Panama operates an [official government department](http://www.presidencia.gob.pa/noticias-de-la-primera-dama.html) that distributes funds for various charitable causes, among other things. Puerto Rico also has an [Oficina de la Primera Dama.](http://www.fortaleza.gobierno.pr/dama.php) A quick Google search shows references to the Primera Damas of Mexico, Honduras, and Costa Rica as well. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-spouse-of-a-prime-minister-have-an-official-title/575540/28 "2011-03-22T04:49:56Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > Another reason it’s not on par with the White House is that it’s _just_ a residence and not the PM’s office. > > Also, unlike the White House, it’s actually pretty hard to see. It’s behind some trees and whatnot, the grounds aren’t open to the public, and since it’s basically just a house with little in the way of public space, there are no tours. And it tends to be overshadowed by Rideau Hall just down the road by the roundabout. 24 Sussex could be any one of a hundred mansions, embassies, or High Commissions–the French Embassy is next door and the South African High Commission is across the street. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-spouse-of-a-prime-minister-have-an-official-title/575540/29 "2011-03-22T05:00:36Z")
> [@Giles](#): > > … So, what’s the title of the spouse of the head of state of Australia? Before you answer that, you might like to decide who he is. His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. All in all a much more imposing title than First Lady. ---
**Author:** ![anyuta34i](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/cc9497/32.png) [@anyuta34i](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyuta34i)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-spouse-of-a-prime-minister-have-an-official-title/575540/30 "2011-03-22T05:58:43Z")
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**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-spouse-of-a-prime-minister-have-an-official-title/575540/31 "2011-03-22T05:59:23Z")
Reported. ---
**Author:** ![Shmendrik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Shmendrik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shmendrik)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-spouse-of-a-prime-minister-have-an-official-title/575540/32 "2011-03-22T06:10:23Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > Reported. And rightfully so, but I’ve copied the text of the reported message (with no links, of course) because it really shines a new light on some unknown episodes in world history. > [@](#): > > When the 3 morning arrived new york escort the Druids would give new york asian escort a piece of wood new york escorts from their fires to each family，then they would take them home to start new cooking fires.These new york asian escorts fires would keep the homes warm and free from evil ---
**Author:** ![blindboyard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blindboyard/32/2833_2.png) [@blindboyard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blindboyard)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-spouse-of-a-prime-minister-have-an-official-title/575540/33 "2011-03-22T07:13:31Z")
In the UK system I believe a Lady is a peeress, or wife of a peer, and therefore the Prime Minister’s wife isn’t one. First or otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![Sr\_Siete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@Sr\_Siete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sr_Siete)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-spouse-of-a-prime-minister-have-an-official-title/575540/34 "2011-03-22T07:23:50Z")
> [@Wendell\_Wagner](#): > > Are there any countries other than the U.S. where the spouse (or whatever else kind of partner) of the president or the prime minister is considered to be a significant figure? I seem to remember that the current President of Argentine is a former First Lady. Let me wiki it… yes, yes she is: [Cristina Fernández de Kirchner](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cristina_Fern%C3%A1ndez_de_Kirchner) And one of the two presidential candidates for Haiti is also a former FL. ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-spouse-of-a-prime-minister-have-an-official-title/575540/35 "2011-03-22T09:28:38Z")
> [@Gorsnak](#): > > His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. All in all a much more imposing title than First Lady. Even if you take the view that Elizabeth, and not Quentin Bryce, is the head of state of Australia, then your claim is still wrong in the general case. “His Royal Highness Prince _x_, Duke of Edinburgh” is not a title reserved for the spouse of the head of state. It’s just a title he happens to hold. The style of a British prince, and the Dukedom of Edinburgh, are appointed at the whim of the monarch. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-spouse-of-a-prime-minister-have-an-official-title/575540/36 "2011-03-22T11:41:59Z")
> [@psychonaut](#): > > Even if you take the view that Elizabeth, and not Quentin Bryce, is the head of state of Australia, then your claim is still wrong in the general case. “His Royal Highness Prince _x_, Duke of Edinburgh” is not a title reserved for the spouse of the head of state. It’s just a title he happens to hold. The style of a British prince, and the Dukedom of Edinburgh, are appointed at the whim of the monarch. I don’t understand the objection. The only ‘whim’ title involved is Duke of Edinburgh. The other is the standard title of the spouse of the monarch. His/Her Royal Highness, Prince/ss _X_. ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-spouse-of-a-prime-minister-have-an-official-title/575540/37 "2011-03-22T11:53:38Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > The other is the standard title of the spouse of the monarch. His/Her Royal Highness, Prince/ss _X_. There is no such standard. Philip, for example, was given that title by Elizabeth only several years _after_ her ascension to the throne. He did not acquire that title automatically upon marriage, nor upon his wife’s becoming queen. It’s perfectly possible that a future male consort will have a different title, or even no title whatsoever (though that would be highly unlikely). ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-spouse-of-a-prime-minister-have-an-official-title/575540/38 "2011-03-22T12:13:52Z")
The previous prince consort, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg Gotha, had that title in his own right. He was given the title of “Prince Consort” during his marriage to the Queen Regnant. Before that was Prince George of Denmark and Norway, Duke of Cumberland – he was Prince of Denmark and Norway in his own right, and was given the title of Duke of Cumberland when he married the then Princess Anne (just as Prince Philip was given the title of Duke of Edinburgh when he married the Princess Elizabeth). None of these prince consorts had any title in common. There’s no automatic title for a prince consort of the United Kingdom (or of Great Britain, or England, or Scotland, as Prince George was). ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-spouse-of-a-prime-minister-have-an-official-title/575540/39 "2011-03-22T12:50:36Z")
And all of that happens because you’re not allowed to have a king that is in a lower position than the queen. If the reigning monarch were male, his wife would definitely have an inherent title. ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-spouse-of-a-prime-minister-have-an-official-title/575540/40 "2011-03-22T13:14:29Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > If the reigning monarch were male, his wife would definitely have an inherent title. Not so much inherent as inherited: the wife generally gets the husband’s titles. I don’t think there’s any title specifically reserved for, and automatically conferred upon, a queen consort. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-spouse-of-a-prime-minister-have-an-official-title/575540.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-spouse-of-a-prime-minister-have-an-official-title/575540.md?page=3)