Queen Elizabeth II Wants Camilla To Be Known As Queen Consort, Completes 70 Years Of Reign
Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom, has announced that she wants Camilla, the wife of her heir Prince Charles, to be known as Queen Consort when Charles accedes to the throne.
New Delhi: Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom, has announced that she wants Camilla, the wife of her heir Prince Charles, to be known as Queen Consort when Charles accedes to the throne.
The 95-year-old made this announcement as she became the first British monarch to reign for seven decades Sunday, media reports said.
Queen Elizabeth II addressed the nation in a written statement on the eve of the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne. She said that when Charles becomes monarch, she hoped the British people would give him and Camilla "the same support that you have given me", an AFP report said.
Queen Elizabeth II, on the eve of the 70th anniversary of the day that her father, King George VI, died from lung cancer, issued a personal and significant message, the AFP report said.
Charles and Camilla, who are now known as the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, had a highly publicised relationship which is believed to have ended their previous marriages. Moreover, there had been doubts over whether the public would accept Camilla.
When Charles and Camilla married in 2005, a royal announcement was made then that Camilla would be known as Princess Consort due to the sensitivity of the issue, the AFP report said.
The story was featured on the front pages of Britain's Sunday newspapers, the AFP report said.
Citing a source, The Times reported that Charles has always been adamant his "darling wife" should receive the title of Queen Consort.
A spokesperson for the couple said Saturday that Charles and Camilla were "touched and honoured" by the news.
According to a report by the Daily Mail, the spokesperson for the couple said: "The Prince of Wales will be issuing a statement of congratulation to the Queen on Accession Day. He and the Duchess of Cornwall are touched and honoured by Her Majesty's words."
Queen Becomes Only British Monarch To Have Reigned For 70 Years
On Sunday, Queen Elizabeth II became the only British monarch to have ever reigned for 70 years.
The Queen, referring to a speech she gave on her 21st birthday, said: "As we mark this anniversary, it gives me pleasure to renew to you the pledge I gave in 1947 that my life will always be devoted to your service."
The Queen's announcement came as she began her Platinum Jubilee in subdued fashion at Sandringham in eastern England.
For early June, four days of festivities are planned. These will coincide with the anniversary of her 1953 coronation. There will also be a military parade and music concert, street parties, a nationwide "Big Jubilee Lunch", and a "Platinum Pudding Competition", the AFP report said.
There will be ceremonial gun salutes in London's Green Park and at Edinburgh Castle in Scotland on Monday.
In September 2015, Queen Elizabeth II surpassed Queen Victoria's 63 years and seven months reign.
Queen Elizabeth II has appeared determined to continue her record-breaking reign despite some health concerns over the past year.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said at the Parliament this week that Sunday was "a moment of national celebration". He noted it was "a day of mixed emotions for Her Majesty".
Last year, Queen Elizabeth II hosted world leaders at the G7 Summit held in Cornwall, England.
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