The coronation of King Charles III will not take place until May of 2023, yet there is a quiet hope within Buckingham Palace that by that time Camilla will be able to have the word ‘consort’ removed from her official title.
In a move made by Queen Elizabeth II to formerly bestow the title of Queen Consort on Camilla in February, it was seen as the first step to her popularity growing in the UK.
Having long been seen in a dark light due to her relationship with Charles during his marriage to Diana Spencer, attitudes have softened towards Camilla in recent years.
The title change also came after the late Queen Elizabeth II sent a message to the public in February expressing her desire for Camilla to be known as Queen Consort after she died.
“When, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support 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,” the Queen wrote.
But according to The Telegraph, Buckingham Palace could look to drop “consort” from Camilla’s title so that she will be known simply as “Queen Camilla” by the time of Charles’ coronation due to take place on May 6, 2023.
The decision will reportedly be made in consideration of public opinion in the months leading up to the ceremony.
Camilla will be crowned alongside Charles during the coronation, set to reflect “the monarch’s role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry,” according to a statement from Buckingham Palace on Tuesday.
Why will the title be dropped?
The process depends entirely on how openly the public accepts Camilla as a Queen figure in the United Kingdom.
According to a report published by The Telegraph, Royal aides hope to quietly drop the title before May.
Should the title be dropped then Camilla would essentially become known as ‘Queen Camilla’ despite not officially holding a position of any power within the Royal Family.
Consorts of previous monarchs in the United Kingdom have received similar treatment, most notably Queen Mary and Queen Alexandra.
Will the change happen in 2022?
After being considerably unpopular at the time of her marriage to King Charles in 2005, Camilla is now seen as one of the most popular members of the Royal Family.
With time, feelings soften and that is exactly the case with the Queen Consort, who has been viewed as a pillar of strength to the family since the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The public has recognized that and if there is enough public support for her before King Charles’ coronation, she will officially be referred to as Queen Camilla.
Why Camilla is a ‘Queen Consort,’ and not a ‘Queen’
“Queen Consort” is the official title traditionally given to the spouses of a reigning monarch. However, Kinsey Schofield, the founder of the royal blog To Di For Daily, told Insider that Camilla’s new title is likely to be shortened to “Queen” in practice, similar to how the mother of Queen Elizabeth II was referred to.
She was technically a “Queen Consort,” but she was known as “Queen” until she became “Queen Mother” following Elizabeth’s ascension to the throne, People reported.
There has been much speculation about Camilla’s title once Charles became king.
After they married in 2005, the royal household issued a statement saying that Camilla would be referred to as “Princess Consort” when the Queen died. The break from tradition came at a time when public opinion was not in favor of Camilla, who had a relationship with Charles during his marriage to Princess Diana.
