The world was shocked when The Queen announced that she would like daughter-in-law Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall to be referred to as Queen Consort when son Prince Charles takes the throne. And as it turns out, grandsons Prince William and Prince Harry were also shocked by the news, with royal author Christopher Andersen revealing the brothers were actually “blindsided” by the announcement!
“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,” the 95-year-old British monarch said on the eve of her Platinum Jubilee on Saturday, February 5th. “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.”
Speaking to Us Weekly on Tuesday, February 22nd while promoting his explosive book, Brothers and Wives: Inside the Private Lives of William, Kate, Harry, and Meghan, Andersen explained that there is a huge divide within the royal family right now. And the announcement apparently hasn’t helped matters!
"It’s just whether or not they can get over this bad feeling. Then, of course, The Queen's health and these other considerations are there. I don’t think it helped with the queen announcing that Duchess Camilla will be Queen Consort and that’s another issue," Andersen told the pub, before adding that The Queen's announcement about the Duchess of Cornwall's potential new title is currently "driving a wedge" in the royal family. "I can tell you right now that the boys were completely blindsided by this."
Andersen then went on to say that Her Majesty's decision to make the announcement may have come due to increasing and "relentless" pressure from her son, who was allegedly using the death of his father in April 2021 to get The Queen on side. "Charles just wore her down on this too," Andersen continued. "I also think that since the death of Prince Philip, Charles has stepped up his effort to make it clear to the queen that he too needs a partner. If he’s going to reign, he’s going to need the support, the kind of support that she got from her husband."
Up until last month, it was never confirmed what title Camilla Parker Bowles would have when the Prince of Wales eventually takes the throne. The term 'Queen Consort' is traditionally used for the spouse of a ruling king, but it was suggested as far back as 2005 that the Duchess of Cornwall could be referred to as HRH The Princess Consort. The Queen's late husband, Prince Philip, was known as 'Prince Consort.'
