The Queen has been spending the last few days at her estate at Sandringham, Norfolk, as she marks 70 years on the throne.
Pictured with her red despatch box, Her Majesty is continuing to work as she celebrates the historic milestone of a Platinum Jubilee, the first for a British monarch.
And in marking the special occasion, the Queen released new details of what will happen when her son, Charles, the Prince of Wales, becomes King.
She told the public: “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.”
But what does Queen Consort actually mean and what has been bestowed in Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, when Charles becomes King? Here’s what we know.
Platinum Jubilee: What does Queen Consort mean?
Queen Consort is a title bestowed to the partner of a serving King. When Charles becomes King, as per the current Queen’s wishes, Camilla will be known as Queen.
Read more: The Queen ending four month break and returning to work as health fears subside
The role of Queen Consort is mainly to provide support and companionship to the serving monarch.
The last Queen Consort was Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, who served in the role from her husband’s, King George Vl’s, accession to the throne in 1936 until his death in 1952.
The Royal website says the Queen Consort does not see State papers or hold official audiences. They also do not have a role within the structure of government.
When a monarch has a husband, they are not usually known as King Consort. They are otherwise referred to as a Consort or Prince Consort.
Queen Elizabeth II’s Prince Consort was Prince Philip. He became consort of Queen Elizabeth II when she took to the throne in 1952, five years after their marriage.
After she embraced the throne, Her Majesty gave Prince Philip “place, pre-eminence and precedence” beside herself, which is usually given to her successor. He was also given a title and was therefore known as Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.
And from 1967, Prince Philip had a throne next to the Queen, which he would sit on at the State Opening of Parliament.
Up until his death in 2021, Prince Philip managed to build on his interests while being Her Majesty’s sidekick, creating an expansive portfolio and being an emotional and moral support for the Queen.
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