King Charles III becoming the oldest monarch to take the British throne was a move that came with numerous risks – especially for Camilla.
Her husband’s Coronation in May 2023 afforded her the new title, ‘Queen Consort Camilla’.
Unfortunately for the 78-year-old, however, it’s not a role she’ll maintain forever.
If Camilla outlives the King, she’ll see his heir, Prince William, step up to the plate in a process that will be immediate and automatic upon Charles’ death.
William’s ascension to the throne will happen simultaneously with his wife, Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, becoming his Queen Consort.
This move won’t strip Camilla of her former royal prowess entirely, however.
The mother-of-two will inherit a brand new title, ‘Queen Dowager’.
It’s a position specifically reserved for the widow of a formerly reigning monarch that’ll maintain Camilla’s reputation as a key figure within royal life, but change it slightly.
When it comes to her current responsibilities, it’ll be William’s prerogative as to whether she’ll keep them up after the King’s death. As a reminder, Camilla is currently the ‘Patron or President’ or ‘over 90 charities’, Buckingham Palace’s website claims.
It may well be that William sees it fitting for Kate to fill her stepmother-in-law’s shoes in this professional capacity.
Royal commentators have largely divided views on this matter, given that Camilla has, as one source told US Weekly recently, ‘always had a tense relationship’ with William and his brother, Harry.
Charles welcomed the pair with his ex-wife, the late Princess of Wales, Diana, who tragically died in 1997.
He and Camilla had been romantically involved both before and during his marriage to Diana, who famously told the BBC: “There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded.”
Royal author Christopher Andersen also claimed recently that, despite 21 years having gone by since Charles and Camilla’s wedding, William still ‘tolerates’ his stepmother, and she is equally ‘a little afraid’ of him.
It’s worth noting, however, that it’s also highly possible that Camilla might seek to retire from public life in the aftermath of her husband’s passing.
Though she and Charles currently reside at Clarence House, if he were to pass away first, Camilla may well move permanently to Ray Mill House – a private home she owns, where she spends a considerable amount of downtime away from the spotlight.
A friend of hers recently told The Telegraph: “The Queen Consort has spent most of her life as a private citizen, so she understands the meaning of shutting your front door and having a place to yourself.
“Ray Mill is the only place where she can literally and metaphorically kick off her shoes and spend time with family and friends in a really informal setting. It’s an escape from royal life, and it will be treasured even more greatly now.”
It could also be that William disallows Camilla from remaining at Clarence House once he becomes King, whether she wishes to or not.
