Camilla was crowned Queen Consort alongside her husband King Charles on his coronation day, but what happens to the royal when Prince William becomes king – and what will she be called?
Camilla met Charles back in the 1970s, and although they dated briefly, they split and married separate partners. Two decades later, their affair became public and they had broken up with their spouses. Fast-forward to 2005, they tied the knot and Camilla began making more public and royal appearances alongside her husband.
During King Charles’ coronation, Camilla was crowned by his side, becoming a Queen Consort – but what happens when Prince William succeeds his father?
What happens to Queen Camilla when Prince William becomes king?
Charles‘ mother Queen Elizabeth II became Britain’s longest-reigning monarch after 70 years on the throne. She ascended to the Head of State after her father King George VI passed away at Sandringham after battling an illness, at just 25 years old.
Whereas, Charles didn’t become the monarch until he was 71 years old, meaning it’s unlikely he’ll have a reign as long as his mother’s. It was Elizabeth who issued a public statement months before her death, wishing for Camilla to become a queen consort when the time comes. Spouses of the monarch are typically Prince or Princess Consort, but the royal wanted Camilla to become queen consort in honour of her ‘loyal service’.
Elizabeth’s husband, Prince Philip, was not referred to as a Prince Consort, but instead when by the title of Duke of Edinburgh.
One day, Prince William will succeed his father, in the event of King Charles’ death, so what happens to Camilla, and will she still be called Queen?
What will Camilla be called when William is king?
Camilla’s title will change in the event of King Charles’ death and if William ascends to the throne – she will be called something else entirely.
She’ll not retain the Queen Camilla title if she is alive to see William succeed Charles, instead being Queen Dowager, as the widow of the departed king.
Her full title as of present, is Queen Consort Camilla, but many drop the consort out of ease and respect. But she does not hold the same power as her husband, and Charles is the reigning monarch despite of this.
The last queen dowager was back in the 1800s, and the royal only held the title for 12 years.
The most recent widow of a king was Queen Elizabeth II’s own mother, also called Elizabeth, who was married to George VI. However, she did not take on the queen dowager title, and was known as the Queen Mother for 50 years. It also helped to avoid confusion as both royals had the first name Elizabeth.
However, in Camilla’s case, William is her stepson so what will happen is that she’ll likely take another title over being called Queen Mother.
But, as royal history has shown us, William may choose to take another route and craft a new title for Camilla when he is king.
Royal’s life after Charles’ death
Her royal workload and public outings will likely change, and this will mostly be down to her age in the event of Charles’ death.
Prince William and Princess Kate Middleton will ascend to the throne, and become the head of the country.
Their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis will likely take on senior royals within The Firm if they’re of age to do so.
