During Queen Elizabeth’s 70th anniversary as the British monarch, she announced that upon her death, she wished Camilla would be referred to as Queen Consort. Before the announcement, there was a lot of speculation that Camilla would not receive that title.
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Now that Queen Elizabeth has passed, her wish came true and Camilla is known as Queen Consort Camilla. However, Buckingham Palace may make a big change for the Consort before King Charles’ coronation in May, according to Express.
The Queen Consort title
The current monarch’s partner has always had the title of Consort, Prince Philip’s official title was Prince Consort Philip, and Queen Elizabeth’s mother was also Queen Consort Elizabeth.
The title Consort is reserved for the monarch’s spouse, however, not all of them used the title. Indeed as many of you know, Prince Philip was known as just Prince Philip or the Duke of Edinburgh.
Queen Elizabeth’s mother was either known as Queen Elizabeth or simply the Queen. Her title only changed when Elizabeth II became Queen in order to avoid confusion, and she became the Queen Mother.
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There is much speculation about whether or not Buckingham Palace will start referring to Camilla as simply Queen Camilla instead of Queen Consort Camilla. However, it won’t only be the Palace that decides Camilla’s fate.
Read more:
⋙ Queen Consort: Why was Camilla named Queen Consort and not Queen?
⋙ Queen Elizabeth II allegedly tried to sabotage Charles and Camilla’s relationship
The public’s reaction
As reported by Express, whether or not the Palace will decide to drop the title Consort will all depend on how the public reacts to Camilla.
Daily Express Royal Correspondent Richard Palmer noted that some publications are already referring to her as Queen Camilla:
Some papers refer to her as the Queen. I think they [Buckingham Palace] will drop the Consort at some point. Every Queen Consort has just been known as the Queen.
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Palmer also explained that the Palace will only drop the title Consort if the public accepts Camilla as Queen. For Palmer, one reason why the public might not be receptive to calling Camilla Queen may be due to how long Queen Elizabeth II ruled:
I think it is just that Elizabeth II was on the throne for 70 years, for many people in the world she was just the Queen.
A case of putting some distance between her death and how Camilla is described. By the Coronation they will just be calling her the Queen.
Camilla is gaining popularity
Despite a troubled relationship with the public at the beginning of her life as Charles wife, Camillaseems to be gaining in popularity.
Express reports that Camilla has become more popular since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and is seen as a ‘pillar of strength’ within the family.
Buckingham Palace reportedly hopes to drop the Consort title before King Charles’ coronation in May 2023.
Sources used:
Express: ‘Queen Camilla set to drop 'consort' from her official title before King's Coronation’
The Telegraph: ‘Palace to quietly drop Consort from Queen Camilla’s title’
