With the resurgence of interest in Prince Charles and Camilla thanks to The Crown Season 4, people are wondering whether Camilla will become Queen once Prince Charles becomes King.
Why?
They honestly don’t want her to. Insert shrug emoji here.
Prince Charles and Camilla are used to the push back. At the time of their civil ceremony, Prince Charles’ spokesperson told inquiring media that, “It is intended that Mrs. Parker Bowles should use the title HRH The Princess Consort when The Prince of Wales accedes to The Throne.”
If you’re asking yourself, “What is a Princess Consort?” You’re not alone. Slate alleges that it’s a title made up by the palace in an effort to avoid outrage and anger at the thought of Camilla becoming Queen. In a 2005 article Daniel Engber writes, “It’s a new title created just for Camilla, because crowning her as Queen would create PR problems for the royals.”
The traditional title for the wife of a reigning King is “Queen Consort” but in March Clarence House reiterated to The Times, “The intention is for the Duchess to be known as Princess Consort when the Prince accedes to The Throne.”
At the very beginning of their relationship “the firm” never believed that Camilla was suitable to be a future Queen. She was not a virgin, she did not have the right pedigree, and the Queen was simply not a fan. Physically, although I think the point is cruel, she was not considered suitable either. The palace was relieved when she agreed to marry Andrew Parker Bowles because this now completely disqualified her from being with Charles. Queen Elizabeth is the Head of the Church of England, which at the time did not recognize divorce. So a divorcee as a future Queen was out of the question. Once Prince Charles accedes to The Throne, he will become the supreme governor of the Church of England.
Despite both of their divorces, Prince Charles was allowed to marry Camilla after they agreed to make it a civil ceremony rather than be married in the Church of England. This was to appease traditional Anglicans who disapproved of the remarriage of divorcees.
So, will Camilla become Queen? Not likely but never say never…
Kinsey Schofield is the Founder of To Di For Daily and you can follow her on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.