Following the death of the Queen on 8 September, the Duchess of Cornwall became the Queen Consort – but what does this title mean?
READ: Will Duchess Camilla become Queen when Prince Charles is crowned King?
What will Camilla do as Queen Consort?
The title doesn't come with any powers and is ceremonial, with the consort of a monarch expected to "provide companionship and moral and practical support". Prince Philip carried the title of consort to the Queen from the moment of her accession in 1952 up until his death in 2021, making him the longest serving royal consort in history.
WATCH: Here's what happens following the death of the Queen
During the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022, Her Majesty penned a letter to the public, where she publicly supported Camilla as future Queen Consort. The letter read: "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.
"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."
As Queen Consort, Camilla will be crowned and anointed during Charles' coronation, although hers will be a much simpler ceremony.
READ: Why Prince Charles is heading back to Buckingham Palace so soon
DISCOVER: What happens when the Queen passes away? Inside royal protocol
Buckingham Palace's website reads: "Unless decided otherwise, a Queen consort is crowned with the King, in a similar but simpler ceremony. If the new Sovereign is a Queen, her consort is not crowned or anointed at the coronation ceremony."
Despite being the Queen's consort, Philip was not crowned at the ceremony, as the husband of a reigning queen does not receive this honour.
The Queen's death was confirmed at 18:30pm on 8 September, with an official statement reading: "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow."
Camilla will be expected to provide support to Charles
The announcement was also officially posted to the railings outside Buckingham Palace by aides dressed in black, while the Union flag was lowered to half-mast.
Prince Charles said in a statement issued on Thursday evening: "The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.
MORE: Who the Queen was with when she died - revealed
READ: Prince Charles is now King - what happens next for the Queen's son
"We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.
"During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held."
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