Camilla will become Queen: Her Majesty makes historic statement to mark Platinum Jubilee

5 February 2022, 22:01 | Updated: 6 February 2022, 08:57

Camilla will be Queen: Queen uses Platinum Jubilee to shape future of monarchy

The Queen has used her Platinum Jubilee speech to the nation to set out Camilla's future title as Queen Consort.

The Queen said she hoped for Camilla to be crowned as a consort at Prince Charles' side when the time comes, paving the way for the duchess to be called Queen Camilla, despite royal aides suggesting at the time of her wedding in 2005 that she would be known instead as Princess Consort.

It comes as she is set to celebrate being on the throne for 70 years on Sunday.

The Queen's message said: "I remain eternally grateful for, and humbled by, the loyalty and affection that you continue to give me.

"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."

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Camilla has seen a huge transformation in the public eye over recent years.

She was initially cast as the third person in Prince Charles and Diana's marriage, before becoming a campaigning member of the monarchy prepared to serve the nation.

She was made a Privy Counsellor in 2016 ahead of the Queen's official 90th birthday, meaning she will be by Charles' when when he is formally proclaimed monarch at the Accession Council.

The duchess has also been able to carve out her own role in the royal family through charity work championing literacy, and highlighting the problem of domestic abuse and sexual violence.

However, there was fierce debate and controversy in the run up to Charles and Camilla's wedding 17 years ago over whether the then-Mrs Parker Bowles would one day be Queen.

Unlike the king or queen, consorts do not have a formal position or set tasks and responsibilities.

The wife of a king automatically becomes a queen consort and only a change in legislation will prevent her from doing so.

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations programme

During her message the Queen went on to say: "And so as I look forward to continuing to serve you with all my heart, I hope this Jubilee will bring together families and friends, neighbours and communities - after some difficult times for so many of us - in order to enjoy the celebrations and to reflect on the positive developments in our day-to-day lives that have so happily coincided with my reign."

She also reflected on loved ones she had lost, saying she remembered the day "as much for the death of my father, King George VI, as for the start of my reign".

The monarch added that she was "blessed" to have had Prince Philip carry out the role of consort and "unselfishly make the sacrifices that go with it".

In 1953, Philip was the first layman to pay his respects to the Queen on her Coronation Day, immediately after the archbishops and bishops.

He dedicated decades of his life to public duty, accompanying the Queen around the world on her Commonwealth tours and visiting remote areas which could only be reached by sea on a solo trip on the Royal Yacht Britannia.