Will Camilla Be Queen If Prince Charles Dies?

Because of her husband’s position in the royal family, Camilla Parker Bowles is entitled to quite a bit of royal status. But, will Camilla be queen if Prince Charles dies before ascending the throne? Find out what will happen to Camilla Parker Bowles’s royal title if Prince Charles dies, ahead.

Camilla Parker Bowles royal title

Right now, Camilla Parker Bowles is both the Duchess of Cornwall and Princess of Wales. However, she doesn’t go by her princess status out of respect for Princess Diana, since the title is so closely associated with her. In addition to these official royal titles, Camilla Parker Bowles is also the Duchess of Rothesay in Scotland. These royal titles are all inherited from Prince Charles’s royal status as he is the Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall and Duke of Rothesay.

That said, when Prince Charles ascends the throne and becomes king, he will drop his royal titles and become His Majesty The King. But, what about Camilla? In the royal family, the monarch’s wife doesn’t automatically become queen in the way that Queen Elizabeth is queen. Instead, they become a Queen or Princess Consort. Both titles refer to the king’s wife. According to reports, Camilla Parker Bowles will take on the title of Princess Consort when Prince Charles ascends the throne, making her Princess Camilla.

Will Camilla be queen if Charles dies?

But, what if Prince Charles dies before his ascension? Will Camilla be queen if Charles dies? According to the line of succession, the answer is a hard no. Because the line of succession is based on birth order, not marriage, if Prince Charles dies before ascending the throne, Camilla Parker Bowles will not become queen and Prince William will ascend the throne instead. However, if Prince Charles dies after ascending the throne, Camilla could earn queen status — in a way.  

In the royal family Queen Mother titles are given to a king’s widow and mother of the monarch. But, since Camilla Parker Bowles is not technically Prince William’s mother, it makes things a little complicated. However, the title exists to acknowledge a king’s widow and Camilla Parker Bowles is Prince William’s stepmother which makes her sort of qualified for the title. But, the decision to make Camilla Parker Bowles a queen likely falls in Prince William’s lap so it’s not exactly a give-in.

If Camilla Parker Bowles doesn’t become Queen Mother after Prince Charles’s death, it’s possible that she will remain Princess Camilla in some capacity.

Will Kate Middleton become queen when Prince William ascends the throne?

When Prince Charles dies, his eldest son and next in line to the throne will ascend and become king. However, his wife, Kate Middleton likely won’t become a queen either. Like Camilla Parker Bowles, Kate Middleton will likely ascend the throne as a Princess Consort alongside her husband. However, should she outlive Prince William, Kate Middleton will become Queen Mother as Prince William’s widow and Prince George’s mother.

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