The Royal Title Conundrum: Understanding Queen Camilla’s Status

Many followers of Royal Banter often exclaim, “Stop calling her Queen Camilla, she is Queen Consort Camilla!” This confusion surrounding Camilla’s title is widespread, but let’s clear the air and explore the world of  British royal titles.

Types of Queens in Britain

There are actually three types of queens in British monarchy:

Queen Regnant: A monarch ruling in her own right (e.g., Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Victoria, Elizabeth I)

Queen Consort: The wife of a reigning king

Queen Dowager: The widow of a deceased king

Contrary to popular belief, ‘consort’ is not a special title created solely for Camilla. In fact, she holds the same position as previous queen consorts like Queen Alexandra and Queen Mary, and it’s the same title that Catherine, Princess of Wales, will receive when Prince William becomes king.

The Journey to Queen Consort

Camilla’s path to becoming Queen Consort has been fraught with controversy. Her friendship began with King Charles III in the 1970s, with their affair and subsequent relationship beginning in 1986, according to Prince Charles authorised biography by Jonathan Dimbleby. After their respective divorces in the 1990s, Charles faced significant challenges in getting Camilla accepted by the Royal Family, courtiers, and the public. When they married in 2005, Camilla opted not to use the title Princess of Wales out of respect for Charles’s first wife, Diana (nee Spencer). Instead, she became known as the Duchess of Cornwall.

The Evolving Title

For years, there was uncertainty about Camilla’s future title. Initially, it was announced that she would be known as “HRH the Princess Consort” when Charles became king. This stance was reiterated as late as March 2020.However, a significant shift occurred during Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. The late Queen expressed her “sincere wish” for Camilla to be known as Queen Consort upon Charles’s accession to the throne.

From Queen Consort to Queen

After Queen Elizabeth II’s passing in September 2022, Camilla was initially referred to as Queen Consort Camilla. This was done to avoid confusion and allow a respectful period of transition. As the coronation of King Charles III approached, all references to ‘consort’ were dropped in official communications. Today, Camilla’s official title is “Her Majesty Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom”.  In conclusion, Queen Camilla holds the same status and entitlements as all queen consorts before her. The journey to this title has been complex, but it reflects the evolving nature of the British monarchy and public perception.
 

 https://www.today.com/popculture/queen-consort-queen-difference-camilla-rcna82849
 https://www.gpb.org/news/2023/04/06/the-royals-dropped-consort-queen-camillas-title-whats-the-big-deal
 https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/a46651145/queen-camilla-title-outlives-king-charles-queen-dowager/
 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-09/what-is-a-queen-consort-camilla-wife-of-king-charles/100854612
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