The death of Queen Elizabeth II means her eldest son, formerly Prince of Wales, has become Britain's new Monarch. With Charles as King, the Duchess of Cornwall's title has also changed.
Camilla Parker Bowles, who married Charles in April 2005, will now be known as Queen Consort. Buckingham Palace announced the new titles for the first time in a statement confirming the Queen's death at Balmoral on September, Thursday 8. It read: "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."
Read more: How to watch the Queen's funeral: All the television coverage from BBC to ITV
However, Camilla's title was confirmed by the late Queen in a touching statement shared during the Platinum Jubilee months before. Her Majesty wrote: "When, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support 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."
But what does Queen Consort mean and how is it different from the Queen? The title of "consort" refers to the spouse of a ruling monarch. Camilla cannot become the Queen because the throne can only be inherited through family and cannot be taken by those who marry into the royal family.
The Duke of Edinburgh was devoted consort (companion to the Sovereign) for over 60 years, from Her Majesty’s accession in 1952 until his death. The Royal website explains: "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."
The main role of a consort is to provide support, companionship and to undertake public engagements on behalf of charities they support. The Queen Consort was born Camilla Rosemary Shand on July, 17 1947. On April 9 in 2012, Buckingham Palace announced that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II had appointed The Duchess of Cornwall, as she was formerly known, to be a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO).
On Friday, September 16 the King and Queen Consort will visit Wales for the first time since the death of Britain's longest-reigning Monarch. The couple will travel to Llandaff Cathedral, the Senedd, and Cardiff Castle during their visit. You can read more about the date and details here.
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