After the Queen's death, her son became King Charles III and his wife Camilla took on the title of Queen Consort - not Queen. Whilst they sound similar, the titles indicate a key difference.
The statement confirming the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday marked the change. Buckingham Palace announced: "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."
What is the difference between a Queen and Queen Consort? As the spouse of the king, Camilla is known as the latter.
A Queen - formally known as Queen Regnant - refers to a female monarch who inherited the throne, meaning those who marry into the royal family are not titled as simply 'the Queen'.
Camilla is now Queen Consort, but that wasn't the initial plan due to lasting controversy over their affair and the subsequent breakdown of Prince Charles and Princess Diana's marriage.
The intention was for Camilla - described by Princess Diana as the "third person" in their marriage - to use the title of Princess consort when Charles inherited the throne.
Ahead of their nuptials in 2005, a statement from Clarence House, which represented Charles before he became king, said: "Mrs Parker Bowles will use the title HRH The Duchess of Cornwall after marriage. It is intended that Mrs Parker Bowles should use the title HRH The Princess Consort when The Prince of Wales accedes to The Throne."
The U-turn occurred seventeen years later when Queen Elizabeth announced her "sincere wish" that Camilla would later be recognised as Queen Consort.
In February 2022, at the start of her Platinum Jubilee year, a message from the Queen said: "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."
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