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Privacy NoticeIt’s been a tough year for Queen Camilla amidst the royal dramas of 2024. Not only is she managing with her husband King Charles’ and daughter-in-law Kate’s cancer diagnoses, but she also has to keep up with a busy schedule of engagements. The good news is that today might offer a reason to celebrate as it marks her 77th birthday. Undoubtedly, this responsibility to step in and lead the Royal Family amidst such tumultuous times marks a significant shift in her public image. There was a time when doubt surrounded whether she would be called Queen upon Elizabeth II’s death.

The Queen was known as the Duchess of Cornwall until King Charles’ accession
(Image: PA)

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Yet, before she died, the former monarch expressed her “sincere wish” for Camilla to take the title of Queen when her husband ascended the throne, reports the Mirror. This was a significant departure from sentiments shared during Charles and Camilla’s wedding day in 2005. Buckingham Palace had announced then that Camilla planned to adopt the unique style of Princess Consort when her husband assumed rulership. In the same statement made nearly two decades ago, they confirmed that Camilla would henceforth be known as HRH The Duchess of Cornwall – a less grandiose title, indeed, but one that she chose to embrace.

The Queen was known as The Duchess of Cornwall
(Image: Getty Images)

As Charles was the Prince of Wales, Camilla automatically received the title of Princess of Wales. However, she chose not to use it out of respect for the late Princess Diana, who previously held the title, and to avoid stirring public sentiment, given that her relationship with the public has been complex. Now, The Princess of Wales proudly carries the title of Princess of Wales after Prince William was granted the title the day following King Charles’s ascension to the throne in September. Kate has embraced the role much like Diana did and has also inherited Camilla’s former title of Duchess of Cornwall. Camilla will have to postpone any birthday festivities as she’s expected to join King Charles at the State Opening of Parliament today. It’s been a whirlwind of engagements for the Royal couple, who just wrapped up a two-day visit to the Channel Islands.

The King and Queen visited the Channel Islands

Their tour took them to Jersey and Guernsey, which, as Crown Dependencies, are not part of the UK but self-governing territories under the Crown. The visit marks a return to some Royal duties for Charles amidst his ongoing cancer treatment. On the Channel Islands, Charles is referred to as the Duke of Normandy a title dating back to 1106 when Henry I claimed the Duchy of Normandy. At official events, islanders toast to “The Duke of Normandy, our King”. Yesterday, it was revealed that Camilla had a mishap during her visit to Jersey. While in Guernsey, she was seen with a bandage on her right ankle. The strapping for a sprain was visible as Charles presided over a brief special session of the States of Deliberation, Guernsey’s Parliament.Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnKate MiddletonPrince WilliamPrincess DianaRoyal FamilyQueen CamillaQueen Elizabeth IIKing Charles III