Here's What Will Happen to Camilla Now That Charles Is King
The new king’s wife Camilla Parker-Bowles’ royal role is…complicated. How will it change now that he has ascended the throne? In February 2022, Queen Elizabeth II announced that Camilla Parker Bowles would be named queen consort. This was a departure from what Charles and Camilla announced after their wedding in 2005. According to People, the couple insisted at the time that Camilla would be known as princess consort once Charles was king, largely out of respect for his late ex-wife, Princess Diana, and because Camilla had gotten divorced. An insider reportedly told People that the queen had to announce the
decision herself when the timing felt right, saying, “They couldn’t wait until Charles was actually King — it had to come from the Queen herself. Now was a good time because of the Jubilee — it was almost tailor-made for this timing.” Royal historian Robert Lacey told People that the queen likely looked to the past while making her decision. He explained, “As she thought about her father George VI, she would have also thought about her mother and the importance she played as a partner to him.” Royal Editor Camilla Tominey explained the queen’s thinking on “This Morning,” saying,
“She could have anticipated that it might be a point of debate when the time comes.” Charles’ coronation as King Charles III will be historic, and it will be
105-carat Koh-i-Noor diamond. During the Platinum Jubilee celebration weekend, Charles remarked, “As we have sought together to serve and support Her Majesty and the people of our communities, my darling wife has been my own steadfast support throughout. The year of this unprecedented Platinum Jubilee brings an opportunity for us all to come together in celebrating the service of the Queen.” Members of the British royal family support a number of charities and organizations in a variety of ways. These are often referred to as patronages. Camilla is a patron or president of more than 90 such organizations. ” charity
work is varied but several themes prevail: health, literacy, supporting those in need; the elderly, victims of rape and sexual abuse and domestic violence, empowering women; food; animals, dance and heritage and the arts.” While speaking to “Woman’s Hour,” Camilla made it clear that she plans to continue this work. She said, Being king will be a major shift for Charles, even though he’s been preparing for this role for most of his life. So it will be imperative that Camilla is there for her husband in both major and minor ways. A source told the Daily Mail that one
reason Queen Elizabeth wanted to designate Camilla as queen consort is because she has always put the prince first. The source stated, “She’s never once tried to overshadow her husband, she’s always played a supportive role to the Prince of Wales. He is her top priority.” The unnamed source explained that Camilla has prioritized her husband while also building her own role within the institution of the monarchy — something that both Charles and Queen Elizabeth have seen and that indicates she will continue to operate in exactly that way once she becomes queen consort. Another role Camilla Parker Bowles
will take on is counselor of state. As noted by The Conversation, counselors of state can essentially sub in for the monarch if a decision must be made and the king or queen is unavailable, sick, or traveling. Now that Charles is king, Camilla will actually become counselor of state as his spouse, thus ensuring that there is another one available should Charles or one of the other counselors of state be otherwise engaged. ‘Her Majesty Camilla’ Now that Camilla is queen consort, she will be able to style herself as Her Majesty. Camilla will be able to continue to
use this designation the rest of her life, according to The Conversation. The styling Her Majesty outranks Her Royal Highness; it’s used only for queen consort or the monarch herself. “Essentially, she’ll be known as Queen Camilla.”
