The Queen’s growing support for Camilla as a valued royal family member became apparent when she was recently awarded one of the highest honours as Royal Lady of the Order of the Garter – and she’s doubled down by confirming Camilla’s future title as Queen Consort. More recently, the duchess has been outspoken on domestic and sexual violence abuse against women. “She’s taken to this job at a relatively late age and she’s been extraordinary,” Penny adds.Ĭamilla’s ability to win over a cautious public is a product of her championing of causes she’s personally passionate about, such as literacy support charities and animal welfare organisations. With time, her understated and reliable work ethic has shone, with some royal watchers remarking that Charles seems more relaxed with Camilla by his side. After marrying Charles 17 years ago, the path to public acceptance has been rocky at times, but Penny says the duchess forged her own path by being “loyal, discreet and working her socks off with her charities and supporting the prince”. Meanwhile, Camilla’s own growth as a royal family member has further facilitated the timing of the handover. WATCH: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge joins Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall for an event Confirming Camilla’s title removes one of the potential early pitfalls of Charles’s reign – and it comes with the Queen’s backing. Royal experts believe the statement is a smart “future-proofing” exercise to protect the longevity of the royal family. So why has the royal family decided to make this announcement now? After all, Queen Elizabeth has made it abundantly clear she intends to serve as monarch until her dying day, just like her father. Now the Queen’s latest statement has firmly drawn a line in the sand. One inkling was the quiet removal of a section on Prince Charles’s website outlining Camilla’s future title as Princess Consort. However, there have been subtle indicators that the tide had turned on Camilla’s title. When Charles and Camilla married eight years later, it was a strategic and respectful decision to style her as the Duchess of Cornwall, rather than Princess of Wales.įrom that point forward, royal aides insisted Camilla “intended” to be one day known as “Princess Consort” – a line that was reconfirmed as recently as 2020.

Charles and camilla