In a historic speech honoring the 70th year of her reign, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II stated that when Prince Charles becomes King, she wants Camilla, Prince Charles’ wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, to be the ‘Queen Consort.’
Queen Elizabeth II expressed she remains “eternally grateful” that she has received continued devotion and affection from the public. She also stated that she is confident that the future King and his wife will get the “same support.”
She spoke out on one of the most contentious issues in her reign so far: Camilla’s future title when Prince Charles becomes King.
“It is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her loyal service,” the Queen noted in a written letter.
Prince Charles’ wife Camilla: Outsider
Camilla married Charles in a civil ceremony in 2005, and they were both divorcees at the time. She often got references like “outsider.”
After the marriage, commoners and the British tabloids hassled her, particularly in the 1990s, when Charles divorced his first wife, Princess Diana. Princess Diana died in a car accident in Paris in 1997.
The title Queen Consort has been bestowed on the wife of a king throughout British history.
However, it was firm that at the time of their marriage that Camilla would use the title Princess Consort if Charles became King.
Camilla’s status as a royal will be cemented by Queen Elizabeth II’s recent words. Camilla now frequently represents the Royal Family in official capacities alongside Charles.
After being vilified for her role in the break-up of Charles’ marriage to Princess Diana, the 95-year-old said she hoped her daughter-in-law would be the Queen Consort when Charles ascended to the throne.
Platinum Jubliee
The declaration came as Elizabeth II began her Platinum Jubilee in a low-key manner at Sandringham. It is her 20,000-acre (8,100-hectare) estate near the north Norfolk coast that she adores.
A military parade and music concert, street parties, a statewide “Big Jubilee Lunch,” and a “Platinum Pudding Competition” are all scheduled for early June. Thereby, coinciding with the anniversary of her 1953 coronation.
On Monday, there will be ceremonial gun salutes at London’s Green Park, near Buckingham Palace, and Edinburgh Castle in Scotland. Both of which don’t normally happen on weekends.
King George VI, her father died on February 6, 1952. Then, she became Britain’s longest-serving monarch at the age of 25.
She has been a constant throughout her reign, despite massive social and political upheavals. Also, the Queen is a living link to Britain’s post-war and imperial past.
She eclipsed Queen Victoria’s record of 63 years and seven months on the throne in September 2015. Despite having significant health issues in the last year, she appears determined to prolong her record-breaking reign.