Camilla becomes queen, but without the sovereign's powers

After seven decades the United Kingdom has a new woman to call queenCharles wife Camilla the Duchess of Cornwall will be known as Queen Consort a title that came with Queen Elizabeth IIs blessing after years of contention dating back to the days before she even married Prince CharlesIt wasnt always a given that the 75yearold Camilla would take the title even though it gives her none of the sovereigns powersWhile the wife of a king is traditionally crowned queen the question of what title Camilla would hold when Charles became king had been a tricky one for many yearsThat was due to sensitivity about her status as his second wife and the wave of grief that washed over Britain following the death of his former wife Princess Diana in a car crash in 1997Also Read West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee mourns death of Queen Elizabeth IICharles and the royal household have moved carefully on the matter mindful of lingering public perceptions of Camilla as the third person that ruined the marriage between Charles and the beloved princessBut over the decades Camilla has won over large parts of the British public with her discretion downtoearth personality and loyalty to her husbandWhen Camilla and Charles married in a lowkey civil ceremony in 2005 she was in fact the new Princess of Wales Dianas title but she styled herself the Duchess of Cornwall insteadPalace officials said for years that Camilla intended to be known as Princess Consort instead of the traditional Queen Consort when Charles acceded to the throneThere is no precedent for the title Princess Consort which was reportedly suggested by royal officials The similar title of Prince Consort has only been used once for Prince Albert husband of Queen Victoria who reigned from 1837 to 1901In a 2010 interview with NBC Charles was asked if Camilla would become Queen of England if and when you become the monarch He hesitated as he replied Thats well Well see wont we That could beThe question was resolved when Elizabeth declared she wanted Camilla to be known as Queen Consort after her son became king It was an endorsement that formally signified the royal familys acceptance of Camilla as a respected senior member and was widely seen as a move by Elizabeth to pave a smooth transition to Charles reignWhen 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 Elizabeth said in February 2022 when she marked the 70th anniversary of her ruleCharles said he and Camilla were deeply conscious of the honourAs we have sought together to serve and support Her Majesty and the people of our communities my darling wife has been my own steadfast support throughout he saidThe most recent Queen Consort in British history was George VIs wife Queen Elizabeth known in later years as the Queen Mother after her daughter became monarch in 1952By custom Camilla will be anointed at Charles coronation although that could be omittedBorn Camilla Rosemary Shand on July 17 1947 she came from aristocrats with long and close links with Britains royal family Her greatgrandmother Alice Keppel was a romantic partner of King Edward VIIShe met Charles at a polo match in 1970 when she was 23 and he was considered to be the most eligible bachelor in Britain The two immediately became close and by the end of 1972 Charles was smitten But the romance was interrupted by his eight months of naval dutyIn his absence Camilla married her longtime boyfriend army officer Andrew Parker Bowles in 1973 The couple divorced in 1995 shortly after Charles gave an explosive television interview admitting an affair with Camilla Charles and Diana divorced the next yearCharles and Camilla waited another nine years marrying in 2005 in a private ceremony at the Guildhall in WindsorSince then Camilla has taken up dozens of royal duties She is patron or president of more than 90 charities and has shown particular interest in work on animals promoting literacy and empowering women She also has found her voice as a public speaker earning respect by campaigning about difficult issues such as sexual violence against women and domestic abuseIn 2021 she delivered what many called her landmark speech urging the men in our lives to get involved in womens rights and expressing sympathy for the families of women who are murderedThe same year Buckingham Palace underlined Camillas role as a senior royal by making her a Royal Lady of the Most Noble Order of the Garter the most senior order of chivalry in BritainThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever