As the son of the longest-serving monarch in British history, Prince Charles has spent his entire life preparing to assume the Queen’s place as head of state.
With the Queen preparing to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee this year – the first Platinum Jubilee in the history of the British monarchy – there is considerable speculation about what will happen next, once her seven-decade reign finally comes to a close.
So what will happen when Prince Charles takes over as monarch, what will his title be, where will he live – and will his wife Camilla become Queen?
READ MORE: When is the Queen’s platinum jubilee – and when is the extra bank holiday in 2022?
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When will Prince Charles become King?
Prince Charles will take over as King and head of the British state when his mother, the Queen, dies.
The Queen has reportedly made it clear on numerous occasions that she will never abdicate the throne, as she feels it would be contrary to what’s expected of her as monarch.
However, as the Queen has now been on the throne for 70 years and is due to turn 96 years old in April, there is inevitably some discussion about the coming succession.
What will happen when Prince Charles becomes King?
According to reports, Buckingham Palace insiders are drawing up plans for Prince Charles’ coronation – which is understood to have been codenamed Operation Golden Orb.
TheMirror reports that Charles’ coronation – which will be held at Westminster Abbey – will be a simpler and shorter affair than the Queen’s coronation in June 1953.
It’s also expected to be considerably less expensive. The Queen’s coronation cost £1.5 million, which amounts to around £46 million in today’s money.
The number of guests attending the ceremony is expected to be cut by three-quarters, while the coronation itself is set to be more representative of different communities and faiths.
How will Prince Charles be known when he becomes King?
Prince Charles will become King Charles III when he ascends to the throne.
There were some question marks about this, as some feel the name Charles to be a bad omen for a monarch. Charles I was beheaded and the monarchy abolished in 1649, though his son, Charles II was restored to the throne in 1660.
However, as Prince Charles has been known to the public by his birth name for his whole life, he is expected to continue using it when he becomes King.
Who is the Duchess of Cornwall?
The Duchess of Cornwall is Prince Charles’ wife, also commonly known as Camilla Parker Bowles. The couple have been married since 2005, having first been an item in the 1970s.
When Charles accedes to the throne, he and Camilla are expected to be crowned side-by-side in the coronation ceremony as King and Queen Consort respectively.
Will Camilla become Queen?
Camilla will be known as Queen Consort after the current Queen dies and Prince Charles takes over as monarch and head of the Royal Family.
The Queen said in a written message to the public that this was her “sincere wish”, and referenced Camilla’s “loyal service” as Duchess of Cornwall.
Where will Prince Charles live when he’s King?
Prince Charles is expected to live at Buckingham Palace once he becomes king, leaving behind his existing residence at Clarence House – where he has lived since 2002.
A royal source told the Mail on Sunday that Charles was of the opinion “that you need a monarch at monarchy HQ”.
“The Prince of Wales will not move into Buckingham Palace before he is king. But when he is, he absolutely will,” the source explained.
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