King Charles’ wife Camilla is likely to have her title adjusted after the coronation

It was once unimaginable. But a bold new title for Camilla shows the remarkable transformation of King Charles’ wife. Here’s how.

Camilla Parker Bowles will be known as “Queen” rather than “Queen Consort” in a move being considered by Buckingham Palace likely to come after King Charles’s coronation.

The title change will cement the remarkable transformation and acceptance of King Charles’ second wife by the British public.

When Camilla married the then Prince of Wales in 2005, it was widely accepted she would never be called Queen when he acceded the throne due to her protracted affair with Charles while he was married to Diana, Princess of Wales, who famously denounced Camilla in a Panorama interview saying, “There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded.”

King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort attend a reception to celebrate the second anniversary of The Reading Room at Clarence House. Picture: Getty Images

Prince Harry in his book Spare said his mother would refer to her as “the other woman.”

Last week Camilla notably changed the name of her charity, the Duchess of Cornwall’s Reading Room, to the Queen’s Reading Room.

The Court Circular could also soon endorse the change with palace insiders saying the view is now that ‘Queen Consort’ is wordy and it would be simpler for Camilla to be known just as the Queen when the moment is right.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told News Corp Australia, “It was expected that eventually Camilla would be known simply as Queen, it’s just a matter of timing, and the coronation is the perfect timing for that, once she is crowned alongside King Charles.

“Camilla has become widely accepted by the British people, she has won over the affections of the British public and people accept she is good for Charles,” he said.

Prince Philip was Prince Consort officially, but he wasn’t known as Prince Consort. “The Queen would of course still be Queen Consort so the Palace of course wouldn’t stop anyone calling Her Majesty that if they so chose,” the palace source said.

The then Prince of Wales and his new bride Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle after their wedding ceremony in 2005. Picture: Getty Images

It is understood that Buckingham Palace officials are poring over precedent titles including those used for the wife of King George VI, Charles’s grandfather.

As a non-reigning Queen, George VI’s wife was technically Queen Consort but was known in public simply as Queen Elizabeth.

After his death she was known as the Queen Mother when her daughter Elizabeth II ascended the throne.

When Queen Victoria died and was succeeded by her son Edward VII, his wife went from being known as the Princess of Wales to Queen Alexandra, without the use of the word ‘Consort’.

The late Queen with Charles and Camilla following the church blessing of their civil wedding ceremony in 2005. Picture: AFP

Camilla has won her way into the affections of the British public, coming a long way since February 2005 when she became engaged to Charles, then Prince of Wales.

A Palace statement said then: “It is intended that Mrs Parker Bowles should use the title HRH The Princess Consort when The Prince of Wales accedes to The Throne.”

After their marriage in April 2005, she did not take on the title of Princess of Wales for its close associations in the public mind of the beloved Princess Diana.

The Queen showed her support last year for Camilla on the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne, releasing a statement that said: “It is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service.”

Camilla will be crowned at Westminster Abbey alongside the King on May 6.

Originally published as King Charles’ wife Camilla is likely to have her title adjusted after the coronation