Camilla’s Future As Queen When Prince Charles Becomes King Remains A Debate

Camilla Parker Bowles’ fate as the future queen remains a debate.

Historian Kate Williams said on Yahoo's "The Royal Box" that the Duchess of Cornwall may not be called queen upon Prince Charles' coronation. She added that it’s not the official palace line yet and pointed out the previous announcement from the palace suggesting that Camilla will only be princess consort when the Prince of Wales begins his reign.

“It’s obviously Charles’ expectation and wish that she would be Queen but at the moment the official line is she will be Princess Consort,” Williams said.

However, CNN royal contributor Victoria Arbiter is convinced that Camilla will be given the title queen consort due to her husband’s views. “I think she’ll be Queen Consort and I don’t think Charles will stand for her being anything less,” Arbiter said.

Royal biographer Christopher Wilson is also having second thoughts about Camilla being the next queen. According to him, the legitimacy of Prince Charles and Camilla’s marriage might be put into question regarding her future as the next queen.

The critics argued that Prince Charles should have been barred from marrying in a register office by two statutes the Marriage Act of 1836 and 1949 Marriage Act. Although Camilla’s fate as the next queen is not yet sealed, there is no doubt that Prince Charles will ascend the throne after Queen Elizabeth II.

However, just like Arbiter, Robert Jobson is confident that Camilla will take the highest role opposite Prince Charles when he becomes king. According to the royal author, Camilla will be queen consort when the Prince of Wales becomes king and stressed that “there is no question about that.”

Camilla chose not to use the title Princess of Wales in respect to Princess Diana even if she is entitled to be called as such. “But she will be Queen Consort unless there is a change in the law,” Jobson added.

Unlike Camilla, Middleton’s future as queen consort is not as complicated. Everyone is sure that Middleton will be queen consort when Prince William becomes king.

The confusion about Camilla’s title spring from an announcement made by Clarence House after her marriage to Prince Charles. In 2005, Clarence House wrote in a press release stating that Camilla will use the title HRH The Princess Consort when Prince Charle accedes the throne. However, the said statement has disappeared from Prince Charles' official website and the reference has been stripped out from the frequently asked questions.