Queen's priceless gift to Camilla: Her Majesty honours duchess with Queen Mother's crown

7 February 2022, 00:25 | Updated: 7 February 2022, 01:05

The Queen is set to gift Camilla her mother's priceless crown for Prince Charles' coronation, having 'given her blessing to Queen Camilla years ago'.

It comes after the monarch announced in her Platinum Jubilee message to the nation that she wanted to see Camilla be crowned as Queen Consort, telling her son that she is "eternally" grateful for his "loyalty and affection".

Camilla will have the Queen Mother's platinum and diamond crown - containing the Koh-i-Noor diamond - placed on her head when Charles takes his place on the throne, according to the Daily Mail.

It was originally created for the coronation of the Queen's father - King George VI - in 1937.

The paper also reported that Prince Charles changed his coronation vows to include 'Queen Camilla' five years ago, with the blessing of his mother, despite it only being announced on Sunday.

It was said to have been part of a general reworking of plans for the Westminster Abbey ceremony, a senior palace source told the Mail.

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Prince Charles released a statement on Sunday morning, praising his mother on her 70 years of service as the royals released a new photo of the monarch beaming.

He said: "On this historic day, my wife and I join you all in congratulating Her Majesty The Queen on the remarkable achievement of serving this nation, the Realms and Commonwealth for 70 years.

"The Queen's devotion to the welfare of all her people inspires still greater admiration with each passing year.

"We are deeply conscious of the honour represented by my mother's wish. 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, by whose example we will continue to be led in the years to come."

The Queen announced yesterday that she wishes for Camilla to be crowned as a consort and be named as Queen Camilla, when Charles becomes King.

At the time of the pair's wedding in 2005, it was announced that Camilla would have the title of Princess Consort.

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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."

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.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "Today marks a truly historic moment as Her Majesty The Queen becomes the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee.

"Throughout her seven-decade reign, she has shown an inspirational sense of duty and unwavering dedication to this nation.

"I pay tribute to her many years of service and look forward to the summer when we will be able to come together as a country to celebrate her historic reign."

Mr Johnson told MPs in the Commons this week: "While it is a moment for national celebration it will be a day of mixed emotions for Her Majesty as the day also marks 70 years since the death of her beloved father, George VI.

"I know that the whole House will want to join me in thanking Her Majesty for her tireless service.

"We look forward to celebrating her historic reign with a series of national events in June."

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: "Her Majesty The Queen has been one vital and valued constant in an ever-changing world, representing security and stability for our country, during the ups and downs of the last seven decades.

"While today's date will always be one of sadness for Her Majesty, as she remembers her beloved father King George VI, it is a chance for the rest of us to express our gratitude for a life of unprecedented dedication to duty and commitment to our country.

"On behalf of the Labour Party, I would like to express my deepest thanks to Her Majesty for seven decades of unparalleled public service.

"Her Majesty is a global symbol of grace and dignity and we thank her from the bottom of our hearts for her 70 years of selflessness and service as we celebrate Her Majesty The Queen's Platinum Jubilee."

Among those paying tributes was Cardinal Nichols, Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster.

He said: "Today we truly rejoice in Her Majesty, our Queen Elizabeth.

"We thank God for her shining, platinum, witness of service, full of faith and dignity.

"We offer our prayers to God for her and her family. May God bless you, Your Majesty."

Former Prime Minister Theresa May posted a picture on Twitter of herself seated next to the Queen, appearing to share a laugh.

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She wrote: "On Her Majesty’s platinum jubilee, we celebrate a landmark in our national story.

"We pay tribute to a 70-year reign, defined by duty and commitment — and show our gratitude to an extraordinary woman, who has dedicated her life to the service of her people & our family of nations."

MPs have also congratulated the Queen, including David Mundell, Paul Howell and MSPs Douglass Ross and Alex Burnett.

Alison Johnstone, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, congratulated the Queen on behalf of the Parliament: "I send our warmest congratulations to Her Majesty The Queen and [the] Royal Family today, on the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne."

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The Queen began the weekend at Sandringham with a slice of cake on Saturday, decorated with the Platinum Jubilee logo.

After being told the cake was turned upside down so reporters could take photos of the cake, the Queen quipped: "I don't matter?".

She cut into the cake, but left the blade in the cake for "someone else to finish it off."

The Queen wrote a message prior to the weekend expressing gratitude to the public and her family, as well as her late husband, Prime Philip.

She said: "It gives me pleasure to renew to you the pledge I gave in 1947 that my life will always be devoted to your service.

"As I look ahead with a sense of hope and optimism to the year of my Platinum Jubilee, I am reminded of how much we can be thankful for."

She added: "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."