Consort

Consort originally referred to a companion or partner, often in marriage or royalty.

In monarchies, a consort is the spouse of a reigning king or queen, such as Prince Albert, consort to Queen Victoria.

Historically, consorts wielded varying degrees of influence, from ceremonial roles to active political involvement.

In music, a consort is a group of instruments, typically of the same family, played together, as in a consort of viols.

The verb consort means to associate or keep company, often with disapproval: He was known to consort with smugglers.