There was a Prince Consort not so long ago... Victoria, being a queen in her own right, could not then marry and make Albert king, as he would have become superior."

a) There's still a Prince Consort, Philip.
b) Whether the title was Prince Consort or King Consort wouldn't make any difference. Whatever you call him or her, the consort doesn't have any constitutional status, any more than the President's wife does in the States.
..........................

I got my mistresses in a tangle up the thread - it was Camilla whose great granny was one of Edward VII's many mistress; Diana had a great great something granny who was one of Charles II's numerous mistresses. Today's Prince Charles is pretty restrained by comparison, with just the one official mistress, whom he than marries. (Of course if Prince William takes after his mother in more than appearance, it'll soon be back to normal service...