The new king's wife Camilla Parker-Bowles' royal role is…complicated.
How will it change now that he has ascended the throne?
In February 2022, Queen Elizabeth II announced that Camilla Parker Bowles would be named
queen consort.
This was a departure from what Charles and Camilla announced after their wedding in 2005.
According to People, the couple insisted at the time that Camilla would be known as princess
consort once Charles was king, largely out of respect for his late ex-wife, Princess
Diana, and because Camilla had gotten divorced.
An insider reportedly told People that the queen had to announce the decision herself
when the timing felt right, saying,
"They couldn't wait until Charles was actually King — it had to come from the Queen herself.
Now was a good time because of the Jubilee — it was almost tailor-made for this timing."
Royal historian Robert Lacey told People that the queen likely looked to the past while
making her decision.
He explained,
"As she thought about her father George VI, she would have also thought about her mother
and the importance she played as a partner to him."
Royal Editor Camilla Tominey explained the queen's thinking on "This Morning," saying,
"She could have anticipated that it might be a point of debate when the time comes."
Charles' coronation as King Charles III will be historic, and it will be an important day
for Camilla as well.
She'll be outfitted in a manner that is appropriate for a queen consort.
The Daily Mail shared that Camilla will actually be given an incredible crown — one that
first belonged to Queen Elizabeth's mother.
The crown itself was designed for King George IV's coronation in 1937.
It's made of platinum and approximately 2,800 diamonds.
The largest stone in the crown is the impressive 105-carat Koh-i-Noor diamond.
During the Platinum Jubilee celebration weekend, Charles remarked,
"As we have sought together to serve and support Her Majesty and the people of our communities,
my darling wife has been my own steadfast support throughout.
The year of this unprecedented Platinum Jubilee brings an opportunity for us all to come together
in celebrating the service of the Queen."
Members of the British royal family support a number of charities and organizations in
a variety of ways.
These are often referred to as patronages.
Camilla is a patron or president of more than 90 such organizations.
"[Camilla's] charity work is varied but several themes prevail: health, literacy, supporting
those in need; the elderly, victims of rape and sexual abuse and domestic violence, empowering
women; food; animals, dance and heritage and the arts."
While speaking to "Woman's Hour," Camilla made it clear that she plans to continue this work.
She said,
Being king will be a major shift for Charles, even though he's been preparing for this role
for most of his life.
So it will be imperative that Camilla is there for her husband in both major and minor ways.
A source told the Daily Mail that one reason Queen Elizabeth wanted to designate Camilla
as queen consort is because she has always put the prince first.
The source stated,
"She's never once tried to overshadow her husband, she's always played a supportive
role to the Prince of Wales.
He is her top priority."
The unnamed source explained that Camilla has prioritized her husband while also building
her own role within the institution of the monarchy — something that both Charles and
Queen Elizabeth have seen and that indicates she will continue to operate in exactly that
way once she becomes queen consort.
Another role Camilla Parker Bowles will take on is counselor of state.
As noted by The Conversation, counselors of state can essentially sub in for the monarch
if a decision must be made and the king or queen is unavailable, sick, or traveling.
Now that Charles is king, Camilla will actually become counselor of state as his spouse, thus
ensuring that there is another one available should Charles or one of the other counselors
of state be otherwise engaged.
'Her Majesty Camilla'
Now that Camilla is queen consort, she will be able to style herself as Her Majesty.
Camilla will be able to continue to use this designation the rest of her life, according
to The Conversation.
The styling Her Majesty outranks Her Royal Highness; it's used only for queen consort
or the monarch herself.
"Essentially, she'll be known as Queen Camilla."