The Queen has expressed her "sincere wish" for the Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla to become Queen consort when the Prince of Wales becomes King.
In her Platinum Jubilee message, Elizabeth II made the significant announcement that marks her 70 years on the throne and will shape the future of the monarchy.
The Queen, 95, used the rarest of Jubilees to put her affairs in order on a public platform, as well as express her support for her eldest son to become monarch.
In the written message, the Queen said: “I would like to express my thanks to you all for your support. I remain eternally grateful for, and humbled by, the loyalty and affection that you continue to give me.
“And 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.”
Charles and Camilla were “touched and honoured” by the Queen’s gesture, Clarence House said.
The prince is set to make his own public declaration on Sunday celebrating his mother’s Jubilee.
A spokesman for the couple said: “The Prince of Wales will be issuing a statement of congratulation to the Queen on Accession Day.
“He and the Duchess of Cornwall are touched and honoured by Her Majesty’s words.”
The Queen also paid tribute to the late Duke of Edinburgh for the sacrifices he made as consort, thanked her family for their support, and made reference to the Queen Mother’s role as a Queen Consort.
READ MORE: Queen's full platinum Jubilee programme unveiled by Buckingham Palace
READ MORE: Royal Mint celebrate Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with new coin for 2022 - buy here
What is a Royal Consort?
A royal consort is the spouse of a serving monarch.
Their role is to provide support and companionship during the monarch's reign.
They do not have a formal position, unlike the king or queen, and they don't have any set tasks and responsibilities.
Traditionally, they aid the monarch with their public engagements, from hosting heads of state to attending charity galas.
The wife of a king, known as a queen consort, is crowned at a coronation ceremony, unlike the husband of a queen.
Historically, those in the role have been extremely influential– most famously Prince Albert when he served as Prince Consort to Queen Victoria.
The Queen Mother was King George VI’s consort and the first British-born Queen Consort since Tudor times and Prince Philip automatically became Elizabeth II’s consort when she acceded to the throne in 1952.
Phillip made history when he passed the record as Britain’s longest serving consort in 2009.
As the Prince of Wales’s spouse, Camilla was already automatically set to be his consort and also technically queen when he becomes king.
The couple married at the Guildhall in Windsor on April 9 2005, 35 years after they originally met and dated.
However, the Queen has paved the way for Camilla to be called Queen Camilla, after royal aides said at the time of her wedding in 2005 that she would be known instead as Princess Consort.
Elizabeth II marked her Platinum Jubilee with the message on Saturday: “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.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here