On the eve of her Accession Day at the weekend, marking 70 years since she became Queen on the death of her father, King George VI, the monarch acknowledged the milestone with a historic message – in which she announced her wish that the Duchess of Cornwall be titled queen consort when Prince Charles inherits the throne.
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Dispatched by Royal Communications on the evening of Saturday 5 February, the full message from the Queen read: ‘Tomorrow, 6 February, marks the 70th anniversary of my Accession in 1952. It is a day that, even after 70 years, I still remember as much for the death of my father, King George VI, as for the start of my reign.
‘As we mark this anniversary, it gives me pleasure to renew to you the pledge I gave in 1947 that my life will always be devoted to your service.
‘As I look ahead with a sense of hope and optimism to the year of my Platinum Jubilee, I am reminded of how much we can be thankful for. These last seven decades have seen extraordinary progress socially, technologically and culturally that have benefitted us all; and I am confident that the future will offer similar opportunities to us and especially to the younger generations in the United Kingdom and throughout the Commonwealth.
70 years ago on Sunday, a princess climbed a ladder into a Kenyan treehouse, and came back down as the Queen
‘I am fortunate to have had the steadfast and loving support of my family.
‘I was blessed that in Prince Philip I had a partner willing to carry out the role of consort and unselfishly make the sacrifices that go with it. It is a role I saw my own mother perform during my father’s reign.
‘This anniversary also affords me a time to reflect on the goodwill shown to me by people of all nationalities, faiths and ages in this country and around the world over these years. 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.
‘And so as I look forward to continuing to serve you with all my heart, I hope this Jubilee will bring together families and friends, neighbours and communities – after some difficult times for so many of us – in order to enjoy the celebrations and to reflect on the positive developments in our day-to-day lives that have so happily coincided with my reign.’
She signed the poignant statement: ‘Your Servant, ELIZABETH R.’
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In the wake of the announcement, the heir apparent expressed his gratitude and paid tribute to his mother in a statement of his own, responding: ‘On this historic day, my wife and I join you all in congratulating Her Majesty The Queen on the remarkable achievement of serving this nation, the Realms and Commonwealth for 70 years. The Queen’s devotion to the welfare of all her people inspires still greater admiration with each passing year.
‘We are deeply conscious of the honour represented by my mother’s wish. As we have sought together to serve and support Her Majesty and the people of our communities, my darling wife has been my own steadfast support throughout.
‘The year of this unprecedented Platinum Jubilee brings an opportunity for us all to come together in celebrating the service of The Queen, by whose example we will continue to be led in the years to come.’ The heartfelt message is signed simply, ‘Charles’.
The items were shown to Her Majesty in the Oak Room at Windsor Castle
While it has always been expected that the prince will inherit the throne after his mother, there had been uncertainty as to what Camilla’s formal title might be once her husband becomes king: both due to the idea of a divorcée heading up of the Church of England (although Charles is, of course, also divorced); and because of sensitivity surrounding the late Diana, Princess Wales, who was originally envisioned as future queen consort (and in consideration of whom it was decided that Camilla would not be titled Princess of Wales). It was initially announced when they wed in 2005 that Camilla would be styled as princess consort once Charles accedes, but in light of her many years of royal service, as noted in the Queen’s recent statement, as well as warming public sentiment towards her, her mother-in-law clearly felt the decision warranted reconsideration.
The Daily Mail adds, however, that the announcement may have been in the works for some time, citing a ‘senior palace source’ as stating that Charles revised his coronation vows around five years ago, and was given permission by his mother to refer to his wife as ‘Queen Camilla’ in the plans for the Westminster Abbey ceremony. The source stated that ‘the timing had to be right’, explaining: ‘It’s been a done deal for some time, but the question has been how best to execute it… They understand that some people still won’t be happy, but the family believe it is the right thing to do.’ Another source added: ‘It also included the duchess crowned Queen Consort.’
In a further honour, the paper reports that Camilla is likely to wear one of the Royal Family’s most treasured items of jewellery, the prized Koh-i-Noor diamond crown, for her husband’s coronation, once the sad death of his mother eventually comes to pass. The stunning platinum and diamond piece showcases the fabled 105-carat Koh-i-Noor diamond in a detachable platinum mount its front cross. One of the largest cut diamonds in the world, the stone originally hails from India, but came under the possession of Queen Victoria following the British annexation of the Punjab in 1849.
Since becoming part of the British Crown Jewels, it has been worn by a number of British queens; first Victoria; then Queen Alexandra, wife of Edward VII; then Queen Mary of Teck, consort of King George V, who had it set in a crown newly created by Garrard for their coronation; and most recently the Queen Mother, who again showcased the jewel in a new crown for her coronation as queen consort alongside her husband, King George VI, in 1937. The diamond is currently on public display in the Jewel House at the Tower of London.
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