Queen Elizabeth has reportedly made it very clear where Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, stands when it comes to the royal family.
The wife of Prince Charles has had a rocky relationship with the royals and was blamed for the breakdown of the future king’s marriage with Princess Diana.
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However Her Majesty’s actions this Christmas has shown that Camilla is now a highly regarded member of the royal family.
The 72-year-old was photographed travelling with the Queen in her car to the Christmas church service in Sandringham.
Royal Central says this move shows “the high regard Her Majesty has for her daughter-in-law”.
For many years it was also believed that Camilla would not take the title of Queen Consort when Charles ascends the throne, out of respect for the late People’s Princess, however this looks to have changed.
The sentence – “It is intended that The Duchess will be known as HRH The Princess Consort when The Prince of Wales acceded to the throne” – has been scrapped from Clarence House’s Frequently Asked Questions page.
In early December a report claimed Camilla is ready to upgrade her title to Queen Consort as the Queen plans to step down as the head of the family.
Charles’ second wife is being primed by the Queen herself to take on the monarchy’s second most powerful role.
Royal expert Penny Juror told GoodHousekeeping.com, ‘Camilla will be a hugely supportive consort.
‘She will give Charles the strength and confidence to do the job he was born to do.’
And what’s more, says Juror, ‘He will be a better king for having her by his side.’