Prince Charles Breaks His Silence About Camilla Becoming Queen Consort

For decades, Prince Charles' love life has been the subject of much discussion and speculation. In 1973, his first romantic relationship with Camilla Shand was cut short when she married Andrew Parker Bowles. According to Town & Country, the Prince of Wales went on to marry Diana Spencer. However, it later became clear that his heart wasn't truly in the marriage, and just a few years after their nuptials, he and Camilla began seeing each other behind the late Princess Diana's back. 

Following their respective divorces, Charles and Camilla were free to pursue their romance openly. They held off on making it public until 1998, however, most likely out of respect to a public still devastated by the sudden death of Diana in 1997. Finally, in 2005, the couple realized their dream of marriage in a small civil ceremony, with Princes William and Harry in attendance. Queen Elizabeth, on the other hand, was a no-show. Her absence was apparently for decorum reasons, per The Express, Her Majesty felt that, as head of the Church of England, attending a non-church wedding would send the wrong message. Still, that didn't stop the press from murmuring that the Queen was actually opposed to her son's choice of wife. 

However, a recent announcement by the British Monarch confirmed that she is rather fond of Camilla after all. 

Ahead of the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne, Queen Elizabeth II wrote a public address that included a statement about Camilla Parker Bowles' future title. "[I]t is my sincere wish that, when the time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service," the Queen stated (via Twitter). It was a surprising honor for Prince Charles' wife, who was expected to be called Princess Consort once her husband became King. 

The title doesn't give Camilla a right to the throne, as Prince William is still the next in line after his father. Although, it does imply a certain rise in ranking. More importantly, it eliminates any doubt about the Queen's feelings toward her daughter-in-law.

Prince Charles issued his own statement on February 6, 2022, during a tribute to the Queen. "We are deeply conscious of the honour represented by my mother's wish," he said (via Reuters). "As 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."