THE Duchess of Cornwall WILL become Queen when Charles is coronated, the Monarch announced this weekend.
The Queen’s decision is no doubt a sign that Camilla – once a marginalised figure loathed by the public – is finally being embraced by the Firm.
The honour is a major U-turn given that Camilla took the lesser title Princess Consort when she married Charles 17 years ago.
At the time royal officials believed there was too much public animosity towards Camilla — married to Andrew Parker Bowles from 1973–1995 — following the death of Diana.
But now, Royal sources said it is the Queen’s wish for Camilla to be known as Queen Consort as recognition for her hard work and the happiness she has brought her son.
It comes as:
- Harry and Meghan have yet to publicly congratulate the Queen on the Jubilee
- Piers Morgan says Camilla deserves to be Queen – and the Sussexes could learn something from her
- Royal fans spot a romantic picture of Kate and William in an official Jubilee photo
- Her Majesty was on sparkling form as she cut a celebratory cake
- And she took a break to say hello to her dorgi as she read cards from children
In a statement to mark her accession, the Queen told the nation: “I remain eternally grateful for, and humbled by, the loyalty and affection that you continue to give me.
“And 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.”
It has also been revealed that Camilla will have the Queen Mother’s priceless platinum and diamond crown placed on her head when Charles is appointed.
In response to the Queen’s announcement on Saturday, Charles and Camilla said they were “touched and honoured” by the gesture.
Charles also paid tribute to his “darling wife” and said he was “deeply conscious of the honour”.
Here, we break down three signs that prove Camilla has finally been embraced by the Royals.
Finally accepted by the British people
Charles, 73, and Camilla, 74, married in a private civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall in April 2005 – eight years after Princess Diana died.
Following the wedding, Camilla became the Duchess of Cornwall – and aides said at the time said she “intended” to be known as Princess Consort, the first in British history.
But nevertheless, Camilla was a controversial public figure.
She was often compared to the young and beautiful Diana, who many people felt was treated badly by the Firm.
Royal expert lngrid Seward – who wrote biography Prince Philip Revealed – told the Sun that Camilla overcame opinion because she “never tried to replicate” Diana’s public image.
She said: “[The Queen said] time was the key to Camilla’s acceptance.
“Then people could see beyond her role as the woman who ruined the marriage of the Princess of Wales and see her for what the Queen knew she was.
“A woman who can handle any situation with sensitivity. She also has the remarkable and valuable ability to see the amusing side of life, however difficult it might be.
“Camilla had no desire to be popular or famous. The Queen was probably one of the few, apart from her son and Philip, who recognised her huge potential.”
Royal Expert Angela Levin said Camilla should be Queen if it is the Monarch’s wishes – and those who disagree due to Diana’s legacy should “move on”.
She told Good Morning Britain: “She is the Queen so she might as well be called the Queen.”
She added: “People adore the Queen.
“If you want to talk statistics, she’s the most popular and she’s in the high 80s.
“And if this is what the Queen wants on her Platinum Jubilee and why she’s chosen to do this – because she’s also changed her mind of course – it will maybe go way over what some people think is the wrong thing to do.
“You can’t stop her, she’s married to the man.”
Reward for service to the Royal Family
The Queen said it is her sincere wish that when “in the fullness of time” Charles becomes King, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort.
She said: “I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me,” she says, “as she (Camilla) continues her own loyal service”.
Royal biographer Angela echoed the belief that Camilla is dedicated and loyal to Charles.
She said: “Camilla is not someone who seeks the spotlight, she doesn’t want to be in the middle of things.
“She’s very dedicated to helping and doing things with people. She’s not pushing herself forward.
“She doesn’t rush past Prince Charles and shake hands with whoever is there.
“I think the pandemic has helped her a great deal because she did Zoom calls with the elderly who were on their own, and with people who were worried about children who were very ill and they couldn’t see them.
“Her publicity and popularity went up from there because people could see what she was really like.
“She’s very funny, very caring and she actually wants to know about you.
“And she’s got this wonderful twinkle in her eye. She’s really charming and warm and makes you feel at home.
“When you’re in her company she’s not grand. She warms towards you, she makes you feel comfortable.”
Ingrid said: “When she married Charles in 2005, she thought she would merely lend support to the man she loved.
“He desperately needed the support he failed to get from Diana.
“He was unpopular. He was downhearted about his role and he wondered how he was ever going to be able to change things for the better.
“He was exhausted by the dramas of his separation and divorce.”
Camilla’s loyalty was rewarded in time.
In 2018, any mention of Princess Consort was removed from Charles’s website during a revamp in 2018.
And now, the couple are understood to have been told of the Queen’s announcement as they spent the weekend at their home at Highgrove, Gloucs.
Their spokesman said: “The Prince of Wales will be issuing a statement of congratulation to the Queen on Accession Day.
“He and The Duchess of Cornwall are touched and honoured by Her Majesty’s words.”
Ultimate sign of Queen’s affection
Camilla was always in the inner circle of royalty as her former husband Andrew Parker Bowles’ father Derek was great friends with the Queen Mother.
They frequently stayed at Birkhall, the-then Queen Mother’s Scottish retreat, where Camilla was treated by the royal matriarch as “one of us”.
She got along very well with Prince Philip – whom she had known for many years – but, more importantly, she got along with the Queen, Ingrid added.
The Queen even made an informal speech at the wedding reception of Charles and Camilla at Windsor Castle in 2005.
She compared their then-34-year relationship to the terrain of the Grand National, which was taking place on the same day.
She said: “They have overcome Becher’s Brook and the Chair and all kinds of other terrible obstacles.
“They have come through and I’m very proud and wish them well.
“My son is home and dry with the woman he loves.”
Royal biographer Ingrid said: “Camilla had no desire to be popular or famous.
“The Queen was probably one of the few, apart from her son and Philip, who recognised her huge potential.
“She felt she was treated very badly and referred to her as a ‘much-maligned woman’ but she knew the marriage would eventually take place. It had to.”
The honour is a major U-turn given that Camilla took the lesser title Princess Consort when she married Charles 17 years ago.
At the time royal officials believed there was too much public animosity towards Camilla — married to Andrew Parker Bowles from 1973–1995 — following the death of Diana.
Queen Consort was the title held by the Queen Mother when wife of King George VI.
The reigning monarch is technically known as Queen Regnum.
A source stressed: “This is Her Majesty’s wish. She’s spent 70 years on the throne and is pretty clear on what she does and doesn’t want.”
