Add France 24 to your home screen
© 2022 Copyright France 24 – All rights reserved. France 24 is not responsible for the content of external websites. Audience ratings certified by ACPM/OJD.
Issued on: 06/02/2022 – 07:41Modified: 06/02/2022 – 19:15
Queen Elizabeth II on Sunday became the first British monarch to reign for seven decades, announcing her “sincere wish” that Camilla, the wife of her heir Prince Charles, should ultimately be known as Queen Consort.
Britain‘s longest-serving monarch acceded to the throne aged 25 on February 6, 1952, following the death of her father King George VI.
She marked the historic date quietly at Sandringham, her estate in eastern England where her father died.
But in a major statement on the future of the royal family, the 96-year-old released a message to the nation, saying “it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort”.
This means Camilla, now 74, would be crowned alongside Charles, now 73, and known to the public as Queen Camilla, royal experts said.
Charles said the couple were “deeply conscious of the honour represented by my mother’s wish”, which would accord Camilla the full title of a monarch’s wife.
He praised Camilla, saying: “my darling wife has been my own steadfast support throughout”.
The heir-to-the throne also paid tribute to the Queen’s “devotion to the welfare of all her people”, which “inspires still greater admiration with each passing year”.
The Queen said she hoped that when Charles becomes king, the British people would give him and Camilla “the same support that you have given me”.
Camilla was long vilified for her role in the break-up of Charles’ marriage to Princess Diana.
Recognising the sensitivities, when the couple married in 2005, the royal family announced she would be known as Princess Consort after Charles became king.
But she has gradually won plaudits as the future king’s loyal wife.
Londoners who spoke to AFP were divided over the announcement.
“I’m delighted. I think it’s high time,” said Angela Roberts, an 80-year-old retiree.
“It’s before my time but a lot of the people who grew up with Diana being the next Queen effectively, they feel like she was wronged by the royal institution,” said Tobias Fox, a 24-year-old software engineer.
“I don’t think a lot of people will be too happy that Camilla has got this role.”
“I think she’ll do well, but I think there will always be that shadow of the past that overcasts her reign,” said Alice Tomlinson, a 25-year-old working in marketing.
Stressing that the Queen is still actively working, Buckingham Palace released a photo taken at Sandringham this week showing her going through one of her famous red dispatch boxes used for government business.
Behind her is a photo of her late father.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised the Queen’s “inspirational sense of duty and unwavering dedication”.
With the main Platinum Jubilee celebrations set for June, he said wanted “to come together as a country to celebrate her historic reign”.
World leaders paid tribute Sunday including German Chancellor Olaf Schulz and Canada’s Justin Trudeau, who said she “has has been a constant presence in the life of Canadians, offering steadfast leadership in times of change, hardship, or uncertainty”.
Four days of festivities are planned for early June, coinciding with the anniversary of her 1953 coronation, including a military parade and music concert, street parties, a nationwide “Big Jubilee Lunch” and a “Platinum Pudding Competition”.
During her reign, the Queen has remained a constant through periods of huge social and political upheaval — a living link to Britain’s post-war and imperial past.
In her message addressed to the public signed “Your servant, Elizabeth R”, the Queen renewed a pledge she first gave in a broadcast on her 21st birthday “that my life will always be devoted to your service”.
In September 2015, she surpassed Queen Victoria’s 63 years and seven months on the throne and, despite some health concerns over the past year, her latest message showed she is determined to continue her record-breaking reign.
After husband Philip’s death in April last year, the Queen returned to public and official engagements, including hosting world leaders at the G7 summit.
She was forced to slow down on advice from doctors, however, after an overnight hospital stay in October sparked public concern.
Since then, she has largely stayed at Windsor Castle and made few public appearances.
But on Saturday, the Queen held a reception for locals at Sandringham, reportedly her largest in-person public engagement since the autumn health scare.
(AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning
Take international news everywhere with you! Download the France 24 app
Queen Elizabeth cancels COP26 appearance 'on medical advice'
UK Royal Family removes Prince Andrew's military titles amid US sex abuse lawsuit
Intruder armed with crossbow detained at Windsor Castle
Queen’s coffin arrives at Buckingham Palace upon return to London
With its counter-offensive in the east, Ukraine 'wants to prove victory is possible'
France to hold national debate on legalising euthanasia
Most Paris monuments to go dark at 10pm as energy costs surge
Who is Jimmie Akesson, leader of Sweden's soaring far-right?
King Charles III's visit to Northern Ireland has 'symbolic significance'
'Visionary' American photographer William Klein dies aged 96
Live: Ukraine calls on allies to speed up arms deliveries after Russian retreat
Royal family pays tribute to the queen at St Giles's cathedral in Edinburgh
Belgium’s largest-ever trial opens over 2016 Brussels terror attacks
Russian soldiers in retreat as Ukraine regains territory near Kharkiv, US says
Anti-immigrant Sweden Democrats leader eyes right-wing election victory
‘The British are worried’: Queen’s death comes amid deep economic anxiety
The content you requested does not exist or is not available anymore.