Camilla Parker Bowles Finally Reacts To The News About Her Future Title
As Queen Elizabeth II celebrated the 70th anniversary of ascending to the throne, she made a major announcement regarding the future of the British monarchy. When her eldest son, Prince Charles, finally becomes king, his wife, Camilla, will become queen consort.
Most people didn't think that the duchess, formerly Camilla Parker Bowles, would ever be called queen. For one, it was announced when she and Charles married in 2005 that she wouldn't be going by the titles Princess of Wales and Queen Consort, which she rightfully had claim to.
This was done out of sensitivity for the late Princess Diana, since her death was still fresh on everyone's mind. Newsweek reports that the inquest into Diana's 1997 death didn't end until 2008.
Another reason was Queen Elizabeth, who "was skeptical about Camilla when she married Charles," a royal source told Us Weekly. As the head of the Church of England, which doesn't allow divorced persons to remarry, the queen's skepticism may have been rooted in her religious beliefs as well.
Charles and Camilla had to marry in a civil union, and Elizabeth did not attend.
However, over the years, Camilla and the queen have gotten past their differences, and their relationship has drastically improved, especially since the duchess has shown how dedicated she is to the royal family and her duties within it.
The timing of the announcement may indicate that the queen is looking both to the past and the future. Robert Lacey, a royal historian, told the BBC that, with how fresh Prince Philip's death is for the queen, she has been "thinking about the importance of a partner and a consort to her" — and how important it will be for Charles to have the same kind of support.
Camilla Parker Bowles' new title is no surprise to royal insiders
The same royal source told Us Weekly that Camilla and the queen spend ample time together, planning Zoom chats while they drink tea.
But royal sources report that Camilla has done more than just win over the queen. Many, both in and outside the firm, appreciate the support she provides Prince Charles, who is "over the moon" about his wife's future title (per Us Weekly).
For him, this is a "dream come true." After all, his love for Camilla began before his marriage to Princess Diana and lasted throughout. All Charles has seemingly wanted is to share his life with the person he loves.
The public, too, has warmed to Camilla. Her polling is up among Britons, and the BBC notes that the duchess has been praised for how dedicated she is to such causes as literacy, animal welfare, and helping survivors of domestic abuse.
She even brought attention to the murders of Sarah Everand and Sabina Nessa while telling men that they needed to be "on board" to fight the culture of sexual violence.
"Many people will have seen the good work the Duchess of Cornwall has done over the years, her loyalty, her discreet nature and the hard work she puts in," Victoria Howard, editor of The Crown Chronicles, told the BBC. "I think many people were pleased to see this."
This is how the duchess feels about her new title
Camilla spent the morning of Feb. 10, 2022, in London with survivors of sexual assault and support staff to mark Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week. Then, she headed to Nourish Hub, a community kitchen, where she helped prepare meals (per Newsweek).
While she was out in public, she was asked about her feelings regarding the queen's announcement of her future title. "I feel very, very honored and very touched," she replied.
When the queen made her announcement, she left no doubt about whether she approved of the duchess.
"When, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King," the statement said (per People), "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."
Prince Charles, who is currently isolating following his second bout of COVID-19, broke his silence about Camilla becoming queen consort.
"We are deeply conscious of the honor represented by my mother's wish," he said in a statement (per People). "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"