Paving the way for Queen Camilla!
Queen Elizabeth II has expressed her "sincere wish" for Prince Charles' wife, Camilla Parker Bowles, to be known as "queen consort" when he takes the throne. The 95-year-old royal released a statement on the eve of the 70th anniversary of Elizabeth's Accession Day, known as her platinum jubilee.
"When, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me; and it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service," she said in the statement Feb. 5.
When Camilla and Charles were married in 2005, it was made clear that Camilla would not be using the late Princess Diana's title, Princess of Wales. Instead, the palace released a statement announcing that Camilla would be using title HRH The Duchess of Cornwall and it was "intended" that she would rise to the title of HRH The Princess Consort when Charles becomes king.
However, Her Majesty's statement Saturday made it clear that she wants "Queen Camilla" as her daughter-in-law's future title.
While Camilla may be destined to be a queen, she will not be the Queen. According to The Guardian, a queen consort is the wife of a reigning king. The Queen, also referred to as the Queen Regnant, is a female monarch equivalent in rank and title to a king, who reigns in her own right, as Elizabeth does now.
Elizabeth's late husband, Prince Philip, was the consort of the British monarch from Elizabeth's accession in 1952 until his death in April 2021, making him the longest-serving royal consort in history.
"I was blessed that in Prince Philip I had a partner willing to carry out the role of consort and unselfishly make the sacrifices that go with it," Elizabeth said in the statement. "It is a role I saw my own mother perform during my father's reign."
Elizabeth previously signaled her strong support for Camilla, making the duchess a Royal Lady of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, in recognition of her contribution to the monarchy.
A spokesperson for Clarence House, where the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall reside, told the BBC Charles and Camilla were "touched and honored."