What Does Queen Consort Mean? Camilla Parker Bowles’s Title Explained

Prince Charles ascended the throne as King Charles III upon the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on September 8, 2022. The 96-year-old passed away “peacefully” surrounded by family family directly in Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Charles released a statement shortly after news of his mother’s passing, saying, “The death of my beloved Mother, the Queen, is a moment of greatest grief for me and all of us. members of my family. We deeply mourn the passing of a venerable Sovereign and a much-loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt across the country, Kingdom and Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world. During this time of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our understanding of the deep respect and affection with which the Queen has been so much loved. Charles’s wife, Camila Parker Bowles, the former Duchess of Cornwall, has also received a new title of Queen Consort. But what does Queen Consort really mean? We explain.

Camilla Parker Bowles King Charles. beautiful pictures

What does Queen Consort mean?

Queen Consort is a title given to the King’s concubine. It is not an official role but symbolizes the person’s support for the reigning king. For many years it was believed that Camilla would become a princess consort, a first in British history but was applied to Grace Kelly during her marriage to Rainier III, ruler of Monaco. At the time of Camila’s marriage to Charles in 2005, royal aides suggested that she did not want to be called Queen and “intended” to be known as Princess Consort, leaving open the possibility that she would change her name. decision later. The titles were also a bit sensitive at the time. Charles and his beloved Princess Diana divorced (in its own right, a royal scandal), in part due to his affair with Camilla. A year later, Diana died in a car accident at the age of 38. “The Princess was a compromise that arose out of feelings of grief and anger, especially over the death of Princess Diana,” the historian says. Royal Family Studies, Dr Cindy McCreery told ABC Australia. “But there was also resentment for several quarters against Camilla because of what many felt was the improper relationship Charles and Camilla had during the time Charles was still married to Diana.”

However, public perception of Camilla gradually changed in a positive direction. At the end of February 2022, Queen Elizabeth II supported the view that her son’s wife should take the title Queen. The Queen said in a statement on the eve of the Platinum Jubilee: the 70th anniversary of her rule of the British monarchy. “And it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own faithful service.” Charles responded in his own statement shortly after, saying, “We are acutely aware of the honor shown by my mother’s wishes. As we have come together to find ways to serve and support the Queen and the people of our community, my beloved wife has been my pillar of support all this time. “

Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth. beautiful pictures

How is it different from Queen?

Queen Consort is the title given to the King’s consort, while the title Queen, or Queen regent, is assigned to a woman who rules in her own right as Queen Elizabeth II did. . The Queen’s last regent was Queen Victoria (1819-1901), whose husband was Prince Albert. Historically, husbands of queens have carried that title rather than consorts of kings. Dr McCreery said this is because the prince’s consort title reinforces a woman’s power. “When there’s a queen to rule, it’s really important that her husband isn’t mistaken in people’s minds as a king somehow, and so he takes on a title of consort prince. random.”

Does this mean we’ll have to phone Queen Camilla?

No. As long as Queen Camilla will be fine. The title is used officially but not in general practice. Dr McCreery explains: “For example, with Queen Elizabeth II’s parents, her father was King George VI, her mother was the queen. “But in reality, she is known as Queen Elizabeth (her name is also Elizabeth). It may be the official term, but we don’t actually say king and queen consort. We say king and queen.”

Image: Courtesy of Random House.

For more on the British royal family, check out the 2012 biography of Sally Bedell Smith, Queen Elizabeth: The Life of a Modern Monarch
. New York Times bestseller, featuring the “true story” behind some of the storylines featured in Netflix Crown, which follows the life of Queen Elizabeth II from her childhood as “queen heir” to her father, King George VI; until the time he met her husband, Prince Philip, when she was 13 years old; ascended to the throne at the age of 25 in 1952. Queen Elizabeth, which also includes interviews with Buckingham Palace sources and never-before-seen documents, provides an in-depth look at the Queen’s legacy. Emperor as one of the most famous kings in recent history.