Bowles, will hold the title of “queen consort” once Charles takes the throne.

On Elizabeth's platinum jubilee, her statement read, “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.”

In future, that would mean Bowles would be referred to as “Queen Camilla.” As The Guardianexplains, this does make her the reigning queen. A queen consort is different from the Queen Regnant, a female monarch with the same level of rank and title as the reigning king. Bowles' title is a bit unexpected. When she and Prince Charles were married in 2005 it was understood she would not be known as the Princess of Wales, a title belonging to Princess Diana. She was named HRH The Duchess of Cornwall and it was planned for her to be called the Princess Consort whenever Charles became king.

Queen Elizabeth's late husband, Prince Philip, was her consort from 1952 until he passed in April of 2021.

“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,” the Queen said in her statement. “It is a role I saw my own mother perform during my father's reign.”

A spokesperson the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall told the BBC that the couple were “touched and honored” by the announcement.