Charles and Camilla: The Marriage (2005 and on)

[MarkUK]

Personally I refer to Camilla as Princess of Wales if her name comes up in conversation either face to face or in internet forums etc. As the wife of the Prince of Wales, she is the Princess of Wales, even though she chooses to use one of her other titles.
And when Charles becomes King, she will be Queen, unless an official announcement is made otherwise. It may even require an Act of Parliament for her not to be styled Queen. To say differently is to deny the facts.

[Madame Royale]

Her/their choice (?) and one I am content to comply with personally.

[Hilda Thomas]

Charles and Camilla, every era brings its own tidings the older generation are dying while the younger generation how they would react to Kings and queens only heaven knows. England was once a Republic As recent as the last century, England had an Empire where the Sun never set. Let us hope the Sun never set on the Kingdom of Great Britain. I would not speculate.

[scooter]

Originally Posted by Madame Royale

Her/their choice (?) and one I am content to comply with personally.

Yes, exactly. The fact is the official position stated at the time of the marriage is that Camilla will be known as Princess Consort. The rest is all wishful thinking.

[Iluvbertie]

The PM at the time also said that is will take legislation to allow her to not be The Queen from the moment Charles is The King, which means that there are two official statements out there - one from CH and one from the Parliament.

[NGalitzine]

I think CH actually said the intent was she would be known as Princess Consort. Intentions can change, just as public opinion can change.

[Royal Newbie]

Who would actually have to make the change? Parliament? And is it likely that they will actually do it? Or will the status quo (Camilla as Queen) prevail?

[MissJanet]

From what I've come to learn about Camillas character she is probably the last person who wants to be called "Queen". I guess "Princess Consort" will be just fine with her.

[Iluvbertie]

For her to not be Queen Parliament has to pass legislation to strip her of the right of all wives to take the title and status of her husband.

Being Duchess of Cornwall is still taking the style and title of her husband as he is the Duke of Cornwall and has in fact had that title for longer than Prince of Wales.

[MARG]

Just a thought . . . if Camilla were to become Princess Consort would she not have to curtsy to all Queen Consorts? And wouldn't the UK and the Commonwealth just love that if it were so!!!

Hmm . . . the King's wife curtsying during state visits . . . not a good look for the UK, the Commonwealth, nor the Monarchy!

[HRHHermione]

Originally Posted by MARG

Just a thought . . . if Camilla were to become Princess Consort would she not have to curtsy to all Queen Consorts? And wouldn't the UK and the Commonwealth just love that if it were so!!!

Hmm . . . the King's wife curtsying during state visits . . . not a good look for the UK, the Commonwealth, nor the Monarchy!

She'd still be the wife of a head of state and I doubt it would affect how she's treated by visiting heads of state.

[MARG]

It's not a question of how she's treated but how she would have to treat them. When meeting any Queen Consort, as a Princess Consort, would she not be required to formally curtsy to them rather than share a meeting of equals?

[Iluvbertie]

Yes she would be required to curtsey to other Queens Consort as they would be Queens and she wouldn't be.

[KittyAtlanta]

Originally Posted by MARG

Just a thought . . . if Camilla were to become Princess Consort would she not have to curtsy to all Queen Consorts? And wouldn't the UK and the Commonwealth just love that if it were so!!!

Hmm . . . the King's wife curtsying during state visits . . . not a good look for the UK, the Commonwealth, nor the Monarchy!

I think she is, effectively, a Princess Consort. She is the Princess of Wales.

[Lumutqueen]

Originally Posted by KittyAtlanta

I think she is, effectively, a Princess Consort. She is the Princess of Wales.

That doesn't make her a Princess Consort that title is given to the wife of a sovereign Prince, Charles is not a sovereign Prince. As most often Monarchs use the title King, their wife is a Queen. There are currently only three Princess Consorts, Charlene of Monaco, Marie of Liechtenstein and Princess Lalla Salma of Morrocco.

The BRF website has this on the POW's background page;

After the wedding, Mrs Parker Bowles became known as HRH The Duchess of Cornwall. When The Prince of Wales accedes to the throne, she will be known as HRH The Princess Consort.

It is apparently not just Clarence House who is spinning the line.

[Madame Royale]

Originally Posted by MARG

It's not a question of how she's treated but how she would have to treat them. When meeting any Queen Consort, as a Princess Consort, would she not be required to formally curtsy to them rather than share a meeting of equals?

I'm somewhat certain that Camilla would not be expected to curtsey to any Queen Consort. Infact, I don't think Camilla will curtsey to any consort or royal Head of State and neither should she when her husband is King.

Lalla Salma is Princess Consort of Morocco and she does not curtsey to any royal Head of State or their spouse.

Does the Duke of Edinburgh bow his head to any of Europe's Queen Consorts? I've certainly never seen him do so. He can at times be seen motioning forward and leaning in before 'kissing' their hands (the gentleman that he is) but he does not extend any evident display of reverent protocol.

It is apparently not just Clarence House who is spinning the line.

And the BRF website is definite, so it appears. But of course, Charles isn't King yet so what is stated as being definite in one reign can quite easily change in another.

[Kataryn]

Knowing that the media would simply love it if the BRF website was changed when it comes to that "intent", they of course won't do it as long as the queen is alive. After that Camilla is the wife of the mourning king and thus his queen.

[EIIR]

The royal website, Charles himself, his advisors and staff can say she'll be Princess Consort until they're blue in the face. I personally feel that, when the time comes, it'll be the government/PM of the day who will state publicly that Camilla should not be denied her rightful title as wife of the new King. Then Charles and his office can say, well we had intended for Camilla to be Princess Consort, but we take the advice of the PM/government who feel that it's more appropriate that she be called Queen.

Bob's your uncle - Camilla's Queen and Charles can say that he didn't renege on his earlier statements. That way everyone's happy, except the Diana fanatics.

[Madame Royale]

Originally Posted by EIIR

That way everyone's happy, except the Diana fanatics.

Not so. I'm no "Diana fanatic" and I'm very much in favour of the proposed alternative and have been since it was announced. Not everyone who happens to endorse the proposal should be subject to such whimsical stereotypes.

[NGalitzine]

I agree EIIR, if a government felt she was acceptable to be his wife it would be hard in a few years time she is not acceptable to be his Queen. The UK has never had the concept of a morganatic marriage and women always take the female version of their husbands title. When he succeeds to the throne I beleive most people will think it perfectly natural that his wife is his Queen. There will be those who will disagree but my guess is they will be a minority. Time will tell, and it likely will not that many years in the future.