# Queen Philip — Edward III character guide

> Queen Philip in Edward III by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Philip, Queen

**First appearance:** 0021-act-v

## Snapshot

Edward's queen, whose name echoes the very ancestor whose line the French have twisted to disinherit her husband.

## Who they are

Queen Philip stands at the edge of the play's political storm, her name itself a reminder of the Le Beau lineage that Artois uses to argue Edward's claim. As consort she embodies the domestic stake in a war fought over inheritance and legitimacy, and her eventual role as intercessor for mercy places her between her husband's ambition and the lives it costs. She matters because the play's argument about blood and right runs directly through her.

## Relationships

### [King Edward III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/characters/king_edward_iii)

_family_

King Edward III and Queen Philip are married, sharing a close and supportive bond as royal partners.

### [Robert of Artois](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/characters/robert_of_artois)

_friendship_

Queen Philip and Robert of Artois share a cordial alliance as part of the English court and war effort.

## In the story

### [Scene II: The Siege of Calais](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-ii)

Reported to be at sea, traveling to Calais to visit King Edward; she is displeased with Copland's refusal to yield the prisoner.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/chapters/act-v-scene-i)

Pleads for the lives of the Calais citizens and later expresses grief over the reported danger to her son.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/characters/queen_philip
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/characters