Will Camilla Parker-Bowles Be Queen Now?
Now that the Queen has passed away at the age of 96, Camilla's husband, Charles, is poised to serve as king.
![Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Aozc8aYXy8qwRZBa6qZZhT-415-80.jpg)
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II at the age of 96, Camilla Parker-Bowles is the wife of a king. Camilla has been known as the Duchess of Cornwall since her marriage to Prince Charles in 2005, but that title will automatically be transferred onto Kate Middleton as Charles becomes King Charles III—so where does that leave Parker-Bowles?
Well, after a groundbreaking statement released by Queen Elizabeth II in Feb. 2022, Camilla will have "Queen" in her new title when her husband takes the throne, and will be known as Camilla, Queen Consort.
“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,” the queen's statement said. “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.”
Historically speaking, this is a pretty big deal. Typically, the wife of a king becomes “Queen Consort," if she wasn't born into royalty herself, but that wasn't initially the case with Parker-Bowles. Because Prince Charles and his wife had an affair while he was still married to Princess Diana, and ostensibly, because this is both of their second marriages, before Queen Elizabeth's statement it was believed that Parker-Bowles would take the title of "Princess Consort" instead. This was similar to Prince Philip, whose official title was Prince consort.
There had been rumors over the years that Prince Charles wanted to make his longtime wife Queen Consort, the latest having been published by The Sun in 2021. But Clarence House had previously denied the legitimacy of these rumors, issuing the following statement in 2020: "The intention is for the Duchess to be known as Princess Consort when the Prince accedes to the throne. This was announced at the time of the marriage and there has been absolutely no change at all."
Despite rocky beginnings, it's now clearer than ever where Parker-Bowles stands within the palace, thanks to the Queen's 2022 blessing.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of British Vogue, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Refinery29 and SELF. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
-
Our Complete Quiet Luxury Shopping Guide
30 quality closet classics that always have—and always will—endure.
By Emma Childs Published
-
Kaia Gerber and Cindy Crawford Medal in Mother-Daughter Olympic Matching
The pair touched down in Paris wearing coordinating navy looks.
By Julia Marzovilla Published
-
Prince Harry Reveals Royal Family Rift Was Worsened by Tabloids
"Yeah, that’s certainly a central piece to it."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Why Did Prince William Remove Queen Camilla's Sister From His Payroll?
She was hired by King Charles in 2005.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
After Meeting a Teenage Prince William for the First Time, Then Camilla Parker-Bowles Quipped “I Need a Gin and Tonic,” Royal Author Writes
Still largely known as “the other woman,” Camilla was “decidedly anxious” about meeting the future king.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Lady Diana Spencer Made This Telling Change to Her Wedding Vows to Prince Charles After Discovering He Was Still Carrying On an Emotional Affair with Camilla Parker-Bowles
Diana wanted to cancel the wedding entirely, but her sisters talked her out of it.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Could You Imagine Prince William and Prince Harry As Prince Arthur and Prince Albert? Had King Charles Had His Way, That’d Be the Reality
For better or worse, Princess Diana won out when it came to naming her sons.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
In Terms of Royal Family Power Dynamics, Prince William Has Reportedly Emerged as the Family Disciplinarian After Prince Philip’s Death Three Years Ago
“Now William is calling the shots.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Royals, Paul McCartney, Nicola Coughlan, Salma Hayek... Was Taylor Swift's London Eras Tour Her Most Star-Studded Yet?
Imagine all the people........
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Kate Middleton Confirms She Will Attend Trooping the Colour in a Heartfelt Update on Her Cancer Treatment
"I am making good progress."
By Halie LeSavage Last updated
-
Queen Elizabeth Apparently Gave Camilla Parker-Bowles Sage Advice on Her Wedding Day to Prince Charles, Which Camilla Ignored—and Later Regretted
Though the subject matter at hand may be surprising, according to lip readers, Camilla said not heeding her mother-in-law’s advice “really wasn’t a very good idea.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published