Camilla got a new title in 2023

Princess Anne was reportedly “opposed” to Camilla gaining the title of queen consort when the 77-year-old first married King Charles.

The Princess Royal allegedly argued that Camilla would “never be a true queen”. 20 years on, and Camilla has a new title that goes against Anne’s reported past wishes…
Anne’s ‘frosty demeanour’ didn’t endear her to Camilla initially (Credit: CoverImages.com)

Princess Anne ‘opposed’ to Camilla getting queen consort title

In a 2022 biography about Camilla, royal author Angela Levin claimed that Camilla struggled to warm to Charles’ sister initially.

“Like many people who didn’t know Anne well, Camilla found her frosty demeanour difficult and somewhat unnerving to cope with [at first],” she wrote.

Anne was, for many years, opposed to the idea of Camilla being granted the title of Queen Consort.

Levin then went on to claim that Anne was opposed to Camilla becoming queen consort at first.

“Anne was, for many years, opposed to the idea of Camilla being granted the title of Queen Consort,” she wrote.

According to the book, Anne once stated: “Camilla will never be a true queen.”

The Princess Royal also reportedly kept her distance from Camilla “as much as possible” for a number of years.
The queen and Anne didn’t see eye to eye initially (Credit: Richard Pohle/Pool/Shutterstock)

Camilla and Anne’s ‘frosty’ relationship

Camilla wasn’t the only newcomer to the royal family that Anne didn’t take to, according to Levin.

“Princess Anne reportedly initially gave Camilla the cold shoulder. It was little consolation that the Princess Royal had also had a frosty relationship with Diana, for whom she had no time before she married Charles, and with Sarah, Duchess of York,” Levin added.

Levin also claimed that Anne’s relationship with Camilla had also been difficult as they’d both been involved with Andrew Parker Bowles.

Camilla had, of course, been married to Andrew for 22 years. They had two children together.

However, Anne and Andrew reportedly dated for a few years in the early 70s before his engagement to Camilla. Despite their split, they remained friends.

However, despite her initial frostiness towards Camilla, Anne’s feelings towards her mellowed over the years. This was after seeing how hard Camilla worked for the monarchy over the years.

Anne herself spoke about Camilla in the film Charles III: The Coronation. She said: “I’ve known her a long time, off and on. Her understanding of her role and how much difference it makes to the king has been absolutely outstanding.”
Camilla is known as ‘queen’ (Credit: CoverImages.com)

Should Camilla be queen or Queen Consort?

Technically, Camilla is queen consort, however, she goes by the title of queen.

During her platinum jubilee celebrations back in 2022, the late Queen Elizabeth announced her wish for Camilla to be known as queen consort when Charles took the throne. This put to bed years of speculation over what title Camilla would hold once Charles became king.

However, around the time of his coronation in 2023, it was announced that Camilla would go by the moniker ‘queen’. Despite this, it hasn’t changed her role and she is still technically queen consort.

According to Princess Diana’s dressmaker, Anne made it clear that she wasn’t happy with the change.

“I heard that there was a coronation dinner with which obviously the king and Camila were there, and apparently the Princess Royal said, ‘You’re not queen, you’re the queen’s consort,’” he said on GB News in 2023.
Camilla will get a new title if she outlives Charles (Credit: CoverImages.com)

What is the difference between a queen and a Queen Consort?

There is a simple difference between being a queen and being queen consort.

A queen is a monarch who rules in her own right, like the late Queen Elizabeth II did.

A queen consort, on the other hand, is the wife to the reigning king. She has taken the title by virtue of marriage. The queen consort has no power of her own.

What will Camilla’s title be when William is king?

It may sound morbid, but should Camilla outlive her husband, Charles, she will take on a new title when William takes the throne.

Should this happen, Camilla will likely be known as Queen Dowager – a title given to the widow of the king.

When King George VI died in 1952, his wife, Queen Elizabeth, became known as Queen Mother. This is because she was the mother of the reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II.

Camilla won’t be known as queen mother as she isn’t William’s mother.

Kate Middleton, meanwhile, will become queen consort when William is king.