Prince William Approves of His Stepmother, Camilla, Becoming Queen
It’s been well documented that Camilla’s entrance into the royal family was a difficult time for both Prince William and Prince Harry after the death of their mother, Princess Diana. But after Queen Elizabeth used the official start of her Platinum Jubilee to announce her wish for the Duchess of Cornwall to become Queen Consort, BAZAAR.com understands that the Duke of Cambridge fully approves.
A royal source reveals that William was “happy” with his grandmother’s wishes shared on February 5, the night before the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne. They add that the duke was aware of the queen’s decision before the announcement.
When Prince Charles married Camilla Parker Bowles in 2005, palace representatives assured members of the public that his second wife would not take on the title of Princess of Wales out of respect for the late Princess Diana, even though she was entitled to it. And it was also promised that Camilla would become Charles’s Princess Consort, not Queen.
However, Clarence House sources assure that the change of plan has not been the result of a plot to create Queen Camilla, but rather a case of “natural progression” as she successfully carried out royal duties and grew closer to the family over the past 17 years.
The decision remains at odds with public opinion of the duchess, who currently polls as the 11th most popular member of the family. Last year, a YouGov survey of Britons revealed that 42 percent of the public felt Camilla should become Princess Consort, while 26 percent thought she shouldn’t receive any title at all.
Despite a negative response in the comments across royal social media channels on Sunday, the announcement guarantees that Camilla will stand by Charles for the first double coronation ceremony since 1937 (George VI and his wife, Elizabeth). Even her coronation crown has been selected. Palace sources share that the late Queen Mother’s 2,800-diamond-encrusted crown—featuring the controversial 105.6-carat Koh-i-Noor diamond—will be placed on the Duchess of Cornwall’s head when she officially receives her new title.
As the dust began to settle on the queen's headline-making intervention, it was back to business for the monarch on Monday. A Buckingham Palace spokesman confirms to BAZAAR that the sovereign returned to Windsor Castle on February 7 to resume “normal duties of audiences, credentials, and privy council meetings”—in person and virtually.
The rep adds that in March, the monarch “hopes to attend” at least three royal engagements: a diplomatic reception at Windsor Castle, a service for Commonwealth Day, and, most importantly, a service of thanksgiving for the life of Prince Philip at Westminster Abbey on March 29.
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