In a “sincere wish” the Queen has expressed that the Duchess of Cornwall must become Queen Consort when Charles becomes king. Marking the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne, she has paved the way for Queen Camilla.
When the duchess married the Prince of Wales in 2005, it was made clear by Clarence House that she would carry the title of HRH The Princess Consort, The Guardian reported. A Queen Consort is the wife of a reigning king.
In a written message released on Saturday before Sunday’s Accession Day, the Queen thanked the nation for the “loyalty and affection” she had received over her long reign.
She added: “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 that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service.”
The Queen also said in her message that it was still a day “even after 70 years, I still remember as much for the death of my father, George VI, as for the start of my reign.”
Paying tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh, who died in April aged 99 after being at her side during 73 years of marriage, the Queen said: “I am fortunate to have had the steadfast and loving support of my family. I was blessed that in Prince Philip I had a partner willing to carry out the role of consort and unselfishly make the sacrifices that go with it. It is a role I saw my own mother perform during my father’s reign.”
She further added that the goodwill has been shown to her by people of all nationalities, faiths and ages in this country and around the world over these years.
“I remain eternally grateful for, and humbled by, the loyalty and affection that you continue to give me,” she said.
Interestingly, upon succession, Camilla will receive the crown, which houses 2,800 diamonds with the world-famous Koh-i-Noor, which currently belongs to the Queen of England is made up of platinum and sparkles with hundreds of diamonds.
In 1937, it was originally made for the coronation of King George VI. The crown also houses a large stone gifted to Queen Victoria back in 1856 by the then Sultan of Turkey to show his gratitude for the British Army’s support in the Crimean War.
The 105-carat Koh-i-Noor is housed on a detachable mount made of platinum that is attached to the front cross of the British crown.
