Camilla Parker Bowles Is Not the Only Senior Royal Who May Get a New Title When Charles Becomes King, and for Prince William, It Will Be ‘Bittersweet’
ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS
- Queen Elizabeth made an extraordinary announcement ahead of her Platinum Jubilee.
- Her Majesty revealed it is her wish for Camilla Parker Bowles to become Queen Consort when Charles takes the throne.
- The Duchess of Cornwall will not be the only senior royal who may get a new title.
Camilla Parker Bowles will get a new title when her husband, Prince Charles, becomes king. But she’s not the only senior royal who will get a title change. Everyone in the line of succession will move up one spot when Queen Elizabeth dies, and Prince William will become the heir apparent. One royal expert says that when that happens, the new title his wife Kate Middleton receives will be “bittersweet.”
Camilla Parker Bowles receives Queen Elizabeth’s blessing to become ‘Queen Consort’
The day before her Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth released a surprise statement supporting her oldest son’s second wife, Camilla. The 95-year-old monarch wrote a letter from Sandringham House that included her support for Camilla receiving the title of Queen Consort when Charles becomes king.
“I remain eternally grateful for, and humbled by, the loyalty and affection you continue to give me,” she wrote, per The New York Post.
“And when, 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 the time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service.”
This message is ‘most extraordinary’
The question of Camilla’s title when Charles becomes king has been lingering since the couple tied the knot in 2005. After Charles’ divorce from Princess Diana in 1996 — and her tragic death one year later — his relationship with Camilla wasn’t a popular one among the UK population.
Camilla was so disliked at the time that she chose not to take the title Princess of Wales, which was linked to Diana. Instead, she went with the Duchess of Cornwall. There was also the expectation that Camilla would be Princess Consort — not Queen Consort — when Charles became king. But that has suddenly changed.
“This is the most extraordinary message. The queen is ensuring the transition — when it comes to her son as king — is as seamless and trouble-free as possible,’’ former BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt told NBC News. “She’s future-proofing an institution she’s served for 70 years. And for Camilla, the journey from being the third person in a marriage to queen-in-waiting is complete.”
Camilla Parker Bowles isn’t the only senior royal who will get a new title
When Charles is crowned king and Camilla is made Queen Consort, Prince William will become heir apparent. And, he will inherit the Duchy of Cornwall.
This will automatically make William the Duke of Cornwall. And as his wife, Kate will hold the title of Duchess of Cornwall — just like Camilla does now. But, that’s not the only new title Kate is likely to receive.
The Sovereign is also likely to give William the Prince of Wales title, which would automatically make Kate the Princess of Wales.
Kate Middleton’s new title will be ‘bittersweet’ for Prince William
According to royal expert Christina Garibaldi, Kate receiving the title of Princess of Wales — the same title held by William’s late mother — will be a “bittersweet” moment.
“There are reports out there that it’s going to be a very bittersweet moment for Prince William when his wife Duchess Kate receives her new title when Prince Charles becomes King,” Garibaldi told Express.
“It’s sometimes confusing that so many titles change when there are shifts in the monarchy but this is definitely going to be a historic title for Princess Catherine.”
The title that Camilla Parker Bowles turned down is synonymous with Princess Diana
Co-host of the Royally US podcast, Christine Ross, noted that the Princess of Wales title hasn’t been used since Princess Diana. The late princess was known as “Diana, Princess of Wales.” And Ross says that title has become almost synonymous with Diana’s name, personality, and legacy.
“I think when Kate steps into that role it is going to be bittersweet because it’s going to stir up so many memories of [William’s] mother,” Ross said.
However, if there’s anyone who can take on that title and role, it’s Kate.
“What’s interesting about her is she is very pivotal. She is the mother of a future King and the wife of a future King,” Royal expert Camilla Tominey explained. “As far as the monarchy is concerned and particularly in the absence of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, she is a hugely influential figure moving forward.”
