Queen Consort Camilla has faced backlash from the public for reportedly disrespecting the late Queen Elizabeth II's wishes after it was revealed she will assume the title of "Queen" following her coronation on May 6.
Buckingham Palace unveiled the invitations sent to 2,000 guests for the ceremony at Westminster Abbey on Tuesday. The colorful design included a striking announcement of the change in royal title for the Duchess of Cornwall, stating, "The Coronation of their Majesties King Charles III & Queen Camilla."
In her Platinum Jubilee message in 2022, Queen Elizabeth II expressed her "sincere wish" for Camilla to be known as "Queen Consort." The public took to social media to voice their disappointment over the change in title for Queen Consort Camilla. One Twitter user said, "Charles has no respect for Diana or his sons - I did think keep her at arms length and quiet. He has just undone 24 years of fixing - he will never be my king to me. I am speechless!"
Another wrote, "I am appalled that this has been allowed to happen. I only served one Queen in my lifetime in the RN. Camilla will only ever be a Queen Consort and nothing more..."
A third added, "Unbelievable that she is being named Queen smh."
Some users claimed that King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla "disrespected" Queen Elizabeth II's wishes. One tweeted, "QEII specifically stated she wished Camilla to be Queen (Consort)."
The title of Queen typically refers to the reigning monarch, while Queen Consort is the official title for the wife or companion of a monarch. An anonymous Buckingham Palace insider explained that Camilla will use her Queen title officially after the coronation, adding, "it made sense to refer to Her Majesty as the queen consort in the early months of His Majesty's reign, to distinguish from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II."
The source further explained, "'Queen Camilla' is the appropriate title to set against 'King Charles' on the invitation. The coronation is an appropriate time to start using 'Queen Camilla' in an official capacity."
The palace insider pointed out that there is precedent for Camilla dropping the "consort" from her title, as "all former queen consorts have been known as 'Queen' plus their first name." However, the title of "Queen" was not initially planned for Camilla. In 2005, the royal household announced that she would be called "Princess Consort" when Prince Charles became king. Royal expert Kinsey Schofield explained that the decision to call her "Queen Consort" was intended to garner public support for the couple and establish Camilla's position within the monarchy.
