HM Queen Elizabeth II has made her wishes publicly known in regards to HRH Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall's Title when the time comes for HRH Charles, The Prince of Wales to accede to the throne.
"... it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service." Thus, The Duchess of Cornwall WILL be known as HM The Queen Consort. The proper way to address her will be HM The Queen.
The significant announcement was made by HM Queen Elizabeth II in her Platinum Jubilee message to the nation released earlier today.
At the time of the Prince of Wales marriage it was stated that the Duchess of Cornwall would be known as Princess Consort when the time arrived. HOWEVER, as we have stated in this page for many years, that wording was removed from the Clarence House website many years ago AND to create a Princess Consort Title would have to be signed off by Parliament and agreed upon by all the Commonwealth countries. A process that would take many years to complete and was never even started.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has used the historic milestone of her Platinum Jubilee to redefine the future of the monarchy, calling for the Duchess of Cornwall to be known as Queen Camilla when Charles becomes King.
When Charles married Camilla in 2005, the couple announced she intended to be known as "Princess Consort" despite having a right to the title of Queen. It was seen as a recognition of the sensitivities around a title that was destined for Charles' first wife, Diana.
It's the same reason Camilla doesn't use the title of Princess of Wales.
The Queen would be expected to consult her direct heirs Charles and William before making such a significant announcement about titles, which suggests they both agreed and felt the British public is ready to accept Camilla as Queen.
The 95-year-old monarch laid out her vision for institution's transition in an extraordinary message released as she reached the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne.
"I would like to express my thanks to you all for your support. I remain eternally grateful for, and humbled by, the loyalty and affection that you continue to give me," the Queen said.
"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's a hugely significant intervention from the monarch, who is the only person who can define royal titles.
Camilla became something of a public pariah following the breakdown of Charles and Diana's union in the mid-90s.
Diana had blamed Camilla for ruining her marriage, saying in a 1995 television interview, "There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded." A year earlier, Charles had also appeared on television and confessed his infidelity, but maintained he had only been unfaithful once his marriage had crumbled.
Positive public sentiment for the Princess of Wales was only further cemented when she was killed in a Paris car crashin 1997.
In the intervening years, Camilla retreated to the shadows, supporting Charles quietly from a distance.
But as time has gone by, sentiment toward the Duchess of Cornwall has softened. And the Queen's moves to future-proof the monarchy reflects Camilla is no longer viewed as the royal mistress but a central figure in "the firm."
On Saturday, Prince Charles and Camilla announced they were "touched and honoured by Her Majesty's words" according to a spokesperson.
Elizabeth ascended to the throne on February 6, 1952, following the death of her father, King George VI, at the age of 56.
Long Live The Queen!
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