THE TITLE QUEEN Camilla has been used for the first time in an official capacity, appearing on invitations for Britain’s King Charles III’s coronation.
Camilla had been referred to as Queen Consort since the death of Queen Elizabeth II, but is named as Queen Camilla alongside Charles on the invites due to be sent to more than 2,000 guests.
The move marks the journey of Camilla over more than five decades, from romantic involvement, to mistress and finally wife of the king – and will end with her formally being crowned Queen alongside the new King.
Prince William’s son and the future British king Prince George will play an important role in the coronation of his grandfather alongside seven schoolboys, with all named as Pages of Honour who will “attend their majesties during the coronation service”.
The group are either family friends or close relatives of Charles and Camilla, including three of Camilla’s grandchildren, and will be expected to carry the robes of prominent figures during the day.
Alongside the photograph, the invitation for the Coronation and the details of the eight Pages of Honour that will attend Their Majesties at Westminster Abbey have also been revealed:
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A royal source said: “It made sense to refer to Her Majesty as the Queen Consort in the early months of His Majesty’s reign, to distinguish from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“‘Queen Camilla’ is the appropriate title to set against ‘King Charles’ on the invitation. The coronation is an appropriate time to start using ‘Queen Camilla’ in an official capacity. All former Queen Consorts have been known as ‘Queen’ plus their first name.”
The invitation was printed on recycled card and elaborately decorated with foliage in a design by heraldic artist and manuscript illuminator Andrew Jamieson, a Brother of the Art Workers’ Guild which the King is an Honorary Member.
It reads: “The Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III & Queen Camilla – By Command of the King the Earl Marshall is directed to invite…to be present at the Abbey Church of Westminster on 6th day of May 2023.”
There had been speculation about what title she would hold when Charles acceded to the throne, but Queen Elizabeth II put the rumours to bed in February last year when she said it was her “sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort”.
In past centuries, the wives of monarch have been known as Queen, and royal commentators had suggested the formal change might be made around the time of the coronation.
Camilla’s public image has been transformed after she was first cast as the third person in the marriage of Charles and the late Princess Diana, to finally becoming a member of the British monarchy.
The couple will celebrate their 18th wedding anniversary on Sunday.
The royal website will be updated post-coronation to reflect Camilla’s change in title, with Queen Consort being replaced with Queen Camilla, Buckingham Palace said.
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