Speculation continues to mount over the royal designation that will be bestowed upon Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, upon the eventual ascension of Prince William to the throne, should she outlive her husband, Prince Charles.
Camilla's succession of royal titles has been a subject of intrigue and contention, given her nontraditional trajectory within the Royal Family. During the recent coronation ceremony of Charles at Westminster Abbey, Camilla was officially recognized as Queen, a break from the previously assumed title of Queen Consort.
The unique situation arises due to the nature of monarchical succession, which adheres to bloodline inheritance. If Charles predeceases Camilla, the title of King would pass directly to Prince William, leaving Camilla without a monarchic position.
However, she wouldn't be without an official title. In such circumstances, Camilla would be known as the Queen Dowager, a designation for a King's widow, first implemented by Queen Adelaide in 1830. The most recent example is Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, Queen Elizabeth's late mother and wife to King George VI, who was known as the Queen Mother.
Camilla's entry into royal circles was anything but typical. She entered the Royal Family as Charles' former mistress, after his divorce from Princess Diana in 1992. After their 2005 marriage, Camilla technically became the Princess of Wales. However, due to the title's close association with Diana, Camilla adopted the title of Duchess of Cornwall instead.
Initial conjecture suggested that Camilla would take the title of Princess Consort upon Charles' ascension, in consideration of potential public resistance to her being Queen. Over time, however, Camilla has garnered considerable public favor, leading to a shift in perspective.
During the Platinum Jubilee, the late Queen voiced her wish for Camilla's future designation, saying, "It is my sincere wish that, when the time comes Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service."
Ahead of the Coronation, the reference to 'Queen Consort' was omitted from the new edition of the Bible, signifying the change in sentiment. The verse read: "To commemorate the Coronation of their majesties King Charles lll and Queen Camilla. In the Abbey Church of St Peter. Westminster. The sixth day of May 2023."
A royal insider also reportedly added weight to the shift, stating, "There's a view in the Palace that Queen Consort is cumbersome and it might be simpler for Camilla to be known just as the Queen when the time is right."
