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For years royal watchers have wondered whether or not Prince Charles‘ wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall will be referred to as queen once her husband ascends the throne.

Now, the duchess’s son has spoken about it but his answer surprised some people. Here’s what Tom Parker Bowles said about his mother’s future title, plus which members of the royal family bow and curtsy to Camilla.

Camilla Parker Bowles attends the annual Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace wearing pearls and a tiara
Camilla Parker Bowles attends the annual Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace wearing pearls and a tiara | Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

It was previously thought that Camilla would not be queen consort

A question that has been asked ever since Camilla and the heir apparent got engaged back in 2005 is: Will she be Queen Camilla?

Shortly after their engagement, a press release stated that Camilla would not be known as queen consort. However, many still believed that the Prince of Wales would give her that title once he’s crowned.

But numerous reports have come out over the years countering that and stating that the duchess will be known as “Her Royal Highness The Princess Consort.” In 2020, a rep for Charles and Camilla reintereated that telling the Daily Star: “The intention is for the duchess to be known as princess consort when the prince accedes to the throne.”

Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles seated next to each other during State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords
Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles seated next to each other during State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords | Justin Tallis – WPA Pool/Getty Images

The duchess’s future title hasn’t been decided yet, according to her son

Despite those reports and their rep’s statement, Camilla’s son, Tom Parker Bowles, said in a recent interview that what his mother will be called when Charles becomes king is still up in the air.

“I honestly don’t know if Mum will be called queen,” Tom told The Times. “That hasn’t been decided. There are a lot of interesting Sky documentaries about that I’m sure, but I honestly don’t know if that’s true.”

Who bows and curtsies to Camilla

Camilla Parker Bowles in a baby blue gown and a tiara at the CHOGM Dinner at the Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel during the Commonwealth Heads of Government
Camilla Parker Bowles in a baby blue gown and a tiara at the CHOGM Dinner at the Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel during the Commonwealth Heads of Government | Chris Jackson/Getty Images
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Whatever the Duchess of Cornwall’s future title will be she holds a high rank in the royal family being married to one of the most prominent members. But who bows and curtsies to her all depends on if they are in the presence of her husband as well.

The Telegraph noted that Queen Elizabeth II updated the Order of Precedence after Camilla and Charles tied the knot so that blood princesses have a higher rank than females who marry into the family. This means that the queen’s daughter, Princess Anne, and her cousin, Princess Alexandra, do not curtsy to Camilla unless she is with Prince Charles. The reason for that is because when Camilla is with the prince she takes on his rank and since Charles outranks everyone except his mother even the men in the family would bow to her then.

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