Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, Britain’s Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall and Britain’s Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge attend an event on the sidelines of the G7 Summit, at the Eden Project in Cornwall, UK on June 11, 2021 .
Oli Scarf | Reuters
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth said on Saturday she would like Prince Charles’ wife, Camilla, to assume the title of queen consort when he becomes king.
In a letter written to mark the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne, Elizabeth said the opportunity had given her a moment to reflect on the loyalty and affection shown her by the British public.
“And when, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes king, I know that you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you gave 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,” said Elizabeth.
Longtime lovers, Charles and Camilla married in a civil ceremony in Windsor in 2005.
Elizabeth’s move reflects a wider acceptance of Camilla’s status as royal.
Tabloid newspapers no longer focus on her as they did in the decade following the death of Charles’ first wife, Princess Diana.
Camilla – whose current title is Duchess of Cornwall – now regularly represents the royal family alongside Charles on official duties.
Throughout British history, a king’s wife is usually given the title Queen Consort, who has no constitutional powers. At their wedding, it was officially decided that Camilla would bear the title of Princess Consort if Charles became king.