As King Charles' coronation draws near, scheduled for Saturday, May 6, the title of Queen Consort Camilla, formerly known as the Duchess of Cornwall, is anticipated to change when her husband is officially crowned monarch.
Camilla Parker-Bowles became the Duchess of Cornwall when she married Charles in 2005. At the time, she opted not to use the Princess of Wales title previously held by Charles' ex-wife, Princess Diana. Following Queen Elizabeth II's death in September last year, Camilla became Queen Consort in a unique move, as her husband ascended to the throne.
Queen Elizabeth II had expressed her "sincere wish" for the Duchess of Cornwall to be known as Queen Consort when Charles becomes king. Despite this, Camilla will not become the reigning monarch, as only inherited members of the royal family can ascend to the throne. However, Queen Elizabeth II recognized her future role as Queen Consort in a written message, acknowledging her "loyal service."
The late monarch expressed her gratitude for the loyalty and affection shown to her during her reign and her confidence that the same support would be extended to Charles and Camilla when he becomes king.
The original plan was for Camilla to use the title HRH The Princess Consort when Charles ascended, implying that she may eventually be referred to as "Queen" rather than Queen Consort, her current title.
Traditionally, the wife of a reigning king is titled Queen Consort and is crowned and anointed during the coronation ceremony. Both Charles and Camilla will be coronated side by side in the upcoming event. The Queen Consort's primary responsibility is to provide companionship and moral and practical support to the reigning monarch, as stated by Buckingham Palace.
Unlike the reigning monarch, who holds a constitutional role in approving bills, the Queen Consort does not hold a formal position in the government's structure, nor does she see official state papers or hold official audiences. The most recent consort to a reigning monarch was Prince Philip, who held the position for 60 years until his death in 2021. The husband of a reigning Queen, unlike a Queen Consort, is not crowned during the coronation ceremony.