ROYAL FAMILY
What is Camilla’s title from now on? Is she the Queen of England?
King Charles III’s wife Camilla has held the official title of Queen Consort will change following her husband’s coronation.
After the accession to the throne of King Charles III last September, his wife Camilla, formerly the Duchess of Cornwall, became Queen Consort, a royal tradition which has been criticised due to Charles’ previous marriage to Diana. The Church of England opposed the divorce between Charles and Diana in 1996, and a not insignificant portion of the British public are still less than enamoured with Camilla.
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The opinion of Queen Elizabeth II is crucial.
Queen Elizabeth II previously explained that she had the “most sincere wish that, in the fullness of time, Camilla will be known as the Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service.” These statements were made in February 2022, on the eve of her 70th anniversary as Queen. It was the first time that she had openly acknowledged Camilla’s role in the monarchy.
“We are deeply aware of the honour represented by my mother’s wish,” said Charles in response to his mother’s statement. “While we have sought together to serve and support Her Majesty and the people of our communities, my dear wife has been my constant support at all times.”
The official British Royal Family account also referred to Charles and Camilla as the King and Queen Consort:
‘Queen Camilla’
After the Charles III’s coronation as the King of the United Kingdom, Camilla’s will become ‘Queen Camilla’, with the word ‘Consort’ dropped from her official title; she had been known as ‘Queen Consort’ following her husband’s immediate accession to the throne following the death of Elizabeth II last September. One of the first signs of the change came when Camilla updated the name of her charity from the “Duchess of Cornwall’s Reading Room” to the “Queen’s Reading Room.”
And, as has been widely reported, invitations issued to Charles III’s coronation leave no room for doubt, entitled: “The Coronation of Their Majesties, King Charles III and Queen Camilla”. There is no ‘Consort’ in sight.
New title, same old role for Queen Camilla
Despite the title change, the duties that Camilla has been performing will hardly be affected. Her role will continue to be that of supporting her husband, King Charles III, in his official duties and representing the monarch at events she attends alone.