What does Camilla's new position as queen consort mean for her two children
from a previous marriage? Titles? Security? Or just media scrutiny?
With the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the royal family has already seen huge shake-ups in terms of
titles. The biggest, of course, is King Charles III's ascension to the throne. Another major
change is that the king's wife, Camilla Parker Bowles, has taken on the title of queen consort.
Before her passing, Queen Elizabeth herself announced that Camilla would receive the
title of queen consort when her son took the throne. The queen said in a statement,
"When, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes king,
I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me."
King Charles III also confirmed Camilla's new position in his first speech as king.
"In recognition of her own loyal public service since our marriage 17
years ago, she becomes my queen consort."
He reassured the public that Camilla would be devoted to the duties of the role.
Camilla has remained quite active since marrying King Charles, serving as patron
or president of over 90 charities, according to the royal website. With a new title comes
even more responsibility, leading some to wonder how Camila being queen consort could
impact her two adult children from her first marriage, Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes.
The short answer is: It won't, really. Even with Camilla as queen consort,
the king will not give any official titles to her children,
because Camilla's title was passed on because of her marriage to King Charles.
Joe Little, managing editor for Majesty magazine,
told Page Six that Camilla's children would remain regular, though still quite wealthy,
folks. However, they could receive titles or distinctions if they are nominated for
their "good works," which would be acts of service to the throne and Great Britain.
Tom and Laura also won't receive any royal protection. Scotland
Yard's royal protection officers only serve the senior members of the royal
family. Little explained that Tom and Laura haven't needed official security up to now,
and that probably won't change, even with their mom now queen consort.
Camilla's kids are seemingly fine with that situation. Tom, who's both the stepson and
godson of King Charles, spoke well of the new monarch in a 2015 interview with Australian
news show "A Current Affair." He called Charles "a man of warmth, intelligence and humanity."
"I think if it ever happens, he will make a fantastic king."
Now, obviously, that time has come.
One thing that has definitely changed for Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes is the level of
public interest in them. Camilla Parker Bowles has been in the public eye as Charles' girlfriend and
eventually wife since the late 1990s, but Tom and Laura have managed to live pretty low-key lives.
According to the Mirror, Tom works as a restaurant critic and food writer. He has two children with
his ex-wife Sara Buys. Laura is an art curator who shares three children with husband Harry Lopes.
Now that Camilla is queen consort, the siblings
will likely be in the spotlight a bit more. Little told Page Six,
"A lot of things will now change, and one of the downsides is that the
newspapers will take more of an interest in them."
Tom and Laura will likely attend their mother's coronation when
the time comes. They had also supported their mother in June,
when she was installed as a royal lady of the Order of the Garter.
Throughout the years, Tom and Laura have been spotted in public with other members of the royal
family, including their royal step-siblings, Prince William and Prince Harry. The four all
were in attendance for then-Prince Charles and Camilla's wedding, and have remained pretty
friendly. The princes also attended Laura's wedding in 2006. She, in turn, attended when
Prince William and Kate Middleton wed. Laura also attended Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle.
With many more appearances and events to come for the queen consort,
time will tell just how much public scrutiny Tom and Laura will experience.