King Charles III and Queen Camilla were officially crowned on Saturday, eight months after Queen Elizabeth II’s 70-year reign ended in September.
On the Royal Family website Camilla is now referred to as “the Queen”. She had also been called “the Queen” on the coronation invitations – the first time in official documentation. However she had remained “Queen Consort” on the official website until after the coronation ceremony.
While the only material difference is in the styling, Camilla’s new title is interesting, as for a long period it looked as though she may never get to call herself a queen of any description.
Here’s why Camilla has become Queen, and what this could mean for the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, when her husband, Prince William, eventually takes the throne.
Why is Camilla now the Queen?
The title of Queen is normally reserved for the inherited female monarch, while it is royal convention for the wife of a British monarch to be given the title Queen Consort. The word “consort” is literally defined as “a wife, husband, or companion, in particular the spouse of a reigning monarch”.
However, Charles and Camilla have decided she will drop the “consort” and be known simply as Queen Camilla.
Despite this, Camilla does not share the King’s political and military powers. The only time this would change is if she were acting as regent.
Camilla was expected to be known as the princess consort when Charles took the throne, as there were concerns about the negative public reception over her affair with Charles while he was married to Diana, Princess of Wales. This is why she became Duchess of Cornwall after her marriage to Charles rather than adopting the Princess of Wales title that now resides with Kate.
However, that changed last year under express desire of Elizabeth II. She said during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022 that it was her “sincere wish” that Camilla took the title of Queen Consort when the time came.
She said: “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.”
Charles responded in writing: “We are deeply conscious of the honour represented by my mother’s wish.
“As we have sought together to serve and support Her Majesty and the people of our communities, my darling wife has been my own steadfast support throughout.”
Jack Royston, royal correspondent for Newsweek and co-host of the Royal Report podcast, told i at the time that Queen Elizabeth was putting two issues to bed with the announcement – uncertainty over Camilla’s title and speculation over who will succeed her on the throne.
He said: “I think what the Queen’s doing here is ripping the plaster off, during her lifetime, at the point when she can absorb some of the reputational flack from it. It reflects the reality that Charles has wanted this for years and years and years, and he was going to do it come what may.
“So the way the Queen’s done it here, she’s made it her decision and her gift to Camilla, so she’s made it a story about Camilla’s acceptance by her into the Royal Family, rather than than a story about Charles putting his foot down and insisting on something that public, as far as polling goes, don’t actually want.”
Will the Princess of Wales be Queen?
When Prince William eventually becomes King, Kate will either be known as Queen Catherine or Catherine, Queen Consort. Whether she keeps the “consort” or drops it like Camilla will likely only become known when the moment arrives.
William became heir to the throne upon the death of his grandmother and his father’s accession last September.
If William were to die before Kate and their eldest son, Prince George, became King, Kate would then become the Queen Mother – a title last held by Elizabeth II’s mother.
Kate is currently known as Princess of Wales – the first person to hold the title since Diana.
Charles was Prince of Wales before he became King, and passed the title down to William after he took the throne.
William and Kate are also the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall – titles that were previously held by Charles and Camilla.
William and Kate formerly held the titles of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Upon her marriage to William Kate was also granted the titles of Countess of Strathearn and Lady Carrickfergus.