• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2025 ABC News
  • News

With Queen Elizabeth II's death, Camilla becomes Queen Consort: What to know

6:58
The story of Queen Elizabeth II's life
Eddie Mulholland/Pool via Getty Images, FILE
ByKatie Kindelan
September 08, 2022, 6:55 PM

With the death of Queen Elizabeth II, her son Charles becomes king and his wife Camilla becomes Queen Consort.

The title of queen consort for Camilla is a request the queen made in February, on the eve of her Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years on the throne.

"And 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, and it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service," the queen said.

The statement marked the first time the queen had publicly addressed her daughter-in-law's role in the future monarchy.

Queen Elizabeth II and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall arrive in a horse carriage on day two of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse, June 19, 2019, in Ascot, England.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images, FILE

When Charles and Camilla married in 2005, there was some debate as to what title Camilla, a divorcee, would take when Charles became king.

At the time of their wedding, a spokesperson for the couple suggested she would take the title Princess Consort.

Related Articles

MORE: Queen Elizabeth II dies: What to know about funeral, coronation and more

Queen Consort is the title given to the spouse of a king, and under U.K. law, whoever is married to a king would immediately become that and be known as queen. There was some concern the public might resent Camilla being known as Queen Camilla, which is why this Princess Consort title was suggested.

With the queen's blessing, Camilla will now be known as Queen Camilla as her husband is now King Charles III.

PHOTO: Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, formerly Camilla Parker Bowles, are followed by Queen Elizabeth II after the blessing ceremony at the St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, April 9, 2005.
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, formerly Camilla Parker Bowles, are followed by Queen Elizabeth II after the blessing ceremony at the St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, April 9, 2005. Prince Charles and his longtime sweetheart Camilla Parker Bowles married after two months of muddled preparations and a lifetime of waiting.
Odd Andersen/AFP via Getty Images

At the time the queen's request was made public, Camilla, 75, called it a "great honor" to be given the title Queen Consort.

Editor’s Picks

Duchess Kate dazzles in gold at ‘No Time to Die’ premiere

  • Sep 28, 2021

Camilla calls it 'great honor' to get Queen Consort title

  • Feb 24, 2022

Camilla opens up about press scrutiny after Prince Charles, Diana divorce

  • Jun 20, 2022

Camilla was at Balmoral with Charles and other royal family members on Thursday when the queen died "peacefully" in the afternoon, according to Buckingham Palace.

Related Articles

MORE: Queen Elizabeth asks for Camilla to be named queen consort when Charles becomes king

The rise of Camilla in the royal family and in the eyes of the public has been a transformation over the past nearly two decades.

"There was a concerted effort to rehabilitate Camilla's reputation, but she also did that herself by how she approached her situation and over time we have seen the public's perception of her really change," ABC News royal contributor Victoria Murphy said earlier this year. "And now we see her very much accepted and embraced as a future queen."

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall arrives at The State Opening of Parliament, May 18, 2016, in London.
Eddie Mulholland/Pool via Getty Images, FILE

At one time, Camilla was blamed for the end of Charles' marriage to his first wife, the late Princess Diana, the mother of his two sons, Princes William and Harry.

She and Charles first met in the 1970s and remained friends during their respective marriages, each of which ended in the mid-1990s.

In an interview this year with British Vogue, Camilla said she had to "rise above" the press and public's scrutiny.

"It's not easy," she said. "I was scrutinized for such a long time that you just have to find a way to live with it. Nobody likes to be looked at all the time and, you know, criticized ... but I think in the end, I sort of rise above it."

During her nearly two decades as a member of the royal family, Camilla has dedicated herself to supporting Charles and championing her own causes, among them supporting victims of domestic abuse.

Earlier this year, on Garter Day, Camilla was made a Royal Lady of the Order of the Garter, the "oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry in Britain," according to the royal family's website.

Camilla told British Vogue she plans to continue to advocate for causes closest to her heart as queen, saying, "You can't desert things that you're in the middle of. There's a lot of things to be done still."

She also described to the magazine the lives she and Charles lead behind-the-scenes, noting they can be like "ships passing in the night" due to their busy schedules.

PHOTO: Camilla Parker-Bowles, in her official role as patron of the National Osteoporosis Society, welcomes Prince Charles with a kiss to the anniversary event at Somerset House in London, June 26, 2001.
Camilla Parker-Bowles, in her official role as patron of the National Osteoporosis Society, welcomes Prince Charles with a kiss to the anniversary event at Somerset House in London, June 26, 2001. The kiss was widely reported as the couple's first in public.
Tim Graham/Corbis via Getty Images

"It's not easy sometimes, but we do always try to have a point in the day when we meet," she said. "Sometimes it's like ships passing in the night, but we always sit down together and have a cup of tea and discuss the day. We have a moment. It's lovely to catch up when we have a bit of time."

Describing the times they are away from the daily grind of royal life, Camilla added, "You know when we go away, the nicest thing is that we actually sit and read our books in different corners of the same room. It's very relaxing because you know you don't have to make conversation. You just sit and be together."

Related Topics

  • Queen Elizabeth
  • Royal Family

Editor’s Picks

Duchess Kate dazzles in gold at ‘No Time to Die’ premiere

  • Sep 28, 2021

Camilla calls it 'great honor' to get Queen Consort title

  • Feb 24, 2022

Camilla opens up about press scrutiny after Prince Charles, Diana divorce

  • Jun 20, 2022

Up Next in News—

Public to get chance to weigh in on plastic vs. paper straws under proposed Trump administration rule

July 18, 2025

18-year-old speaks out after alleged kidnapping attempt caught on camera

July 18, 2025

State Department addresses decision to destroy 500 tons of emergency food

July 17, 2025

Paranormal investigator who helped lead 'Annabelle' doll themed tour dies suddenly

July 16, 2025

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2025 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2025 ABC News