First Lady? First Husband?

In mid-June, I was at a conference in Finland. One of the keynote speakers was Peter Vesterbacka, then of Rovio Entertainment, maker of Angry Birds.

Mr. Vesterbacka referred to the wife of the Prime Minister of Japan as that country's “First Lady.” Japan does not have a First Lady. Japan has an Empress!

This weekend, I read a few British Sunday newspapers, and I noticed that the upcoming spouse of the United Kindgom's next Prime Minister (there were still at the time of the printing of those newspapers, two options) as ”First Husband.” The United Kingdom does not have a First Lady and will not at the time Mr. David Cameron is relieved have a First Husband. The United Kingdom has the Duke of Edinburgh!