Elizabeth II marks Platinum Jubilee with 'Queen Camilla' announcement

Profile of UK's Camilla, the Queen Consort-in-waiting.

Queen Elizabeth II on Sunday became the first British monarch to reign for seven decades, announcing her "sincere wish" that Camilla, the wife of her heir Prince Charles, should ultimately be known as Queen Consort.

Britain's longest-serving monarch acceded to the throne aged 25 on February 6, 1952, following the death of her father King George VI.

But in a major statement on the future of the royal family, the 95-year-old released a message to the nation, saying "it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort".

Charles said the couple were "deeply conscious of the honour represented by my mother's wish", which would accord Camilla the full title of a monarch's wife.

The heir to the throne also paid tribute to the Queen's "devotion to the welfare of all her people", which "inspires still greater admiration with each passing year".

Camilla was long vilified for her role in the break-up of Charles' marriage to Princess Diana.

But she has gradually won plaudits as the future king's loyal wife.

Londoners who spoke to AFP were divided over the announcement.

"It's before my time but a lot of the people who grew up with Diana being the next Queen effectively, they feel like she was wronged by the royal institution," said Tobias Fox, a 24-year-old software engineer.

"I think she'll do well, but I think there will always be that shadow of the past that overcasts her reign," said Alice Tomlinson, a 25-year-old working in marketing.

Stressing that the Queen is still actively working, Buckingham Palace released a photo taken at Sandringham this week showing her going through one of her famous red dispatch boxes used for government business.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised the Queen's "inspirational sense of duty and unwavering dedication".

- 'Shared ideals' -

The White House on Twitter congratulated the monarch on the "historic" milestone.

Four days of festivities are planned for early June, coinciding with the anniversary of her 1953 coronation, including a military parade and music concert, street parties, a nationwide "Big Jubilee Lunch" and a "Platinum Pudding Competition".

In her message addressed to the public signed "Your servant, Elizabeth R", the Queen renewed a pledge she first gave in a broadcast on her 21st birthday "that my life will always be devoted to your service".

After husband Philip's death in April last year, the Queen returned to public and official engagements, including hosting world leaders at the G7 summit.

Since then, she has largely stayed at Windsor Castle and made few public appearances.

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