Pronunciation: [dˈa͡ʊɪd͡ʒə kwˈiːn] (IPA) 
The term "dowager queen" refers to a queen who has lost her husband, the king. It's spelled as "dowager queen" but pronounced as /ˈdaʊədʒər kwiːn/. The first syllable "dow" is pronounced as "dow" in "dowry." The second syllable "a" is pronounced as "uh" in "umbrella." The third syllable "ger" pronounced as "juh" in "jug." And "queen" is pronounced as "kween." So altogether, it's pronounced as "DAU-uh-juh kween."
A dowager queen is an esteemed title bestowed upon a queen consort following the death of her husband, the reigning king. Derived from the term "dowager," which refers to a widow who possesses a title or an inheritance from her late husband, a dowager queen holds a unique and venerable position in the hierarchy of royal families.
A dowager queen typically enjoys certain privileges and prerogatives that distinguish her from other royal family members. While she does not hold the same authority as a reigning or regnant queen, she continues to wield influence and remains an important figure within the royal court. Often revered for her wisdom, experience, and historical significance, a dowager queen often acts as an advisor to her children or other successors to the throne.
The term "dowager queen" encapsulates the dual characteristics of a dowager, indicating that she is both a widow and a queen. This compound title recognizes her noble heritage and acknowledges the responsibilities and contributions she has made during her reign as a queen consort. The words "dowager queen" carry an air of respect and admiration, symbolizing the historical continuity, strength, and dignity she embodies. Additionally, the title conveys the importance of her role in maintaining the stability and cohesion of the royal family, as well as her enduring impact on the affairs of the kingdom.
The term "dowager queen" has its roots in the Old French language. The word "dowage" referred to the movable property or wealth a woman brought with her when she married. Over time, it came to specifically denote the property or wealth a woman received from her deceased husband's estate. From the Old French "douaire" (meaning "dower" or "dowry"), the term evolved into "dowage" in English.
The word "queen" stems from the Old English "cwen", which later became "queen" in Middle English. It originally referred to the wife of a king or a female ruler who held sovereign power.
In the specific context of "dowager queen", the term emerged during medieval times to describe a widow who had been a queen due to her marriage to a deceased king.
