Camilla change hints at royal ascent

The Prince of Wales has fuelled speculation that he plans to go back on his word and make the Duchess of Cornwall queen when he accedes to the throne.

Clarence House has always been adamant that the duchess would be called the princess consort, a title that has never before been used for the wife of a sovereign. Modifications to Prince Charles’s official website, however, have given the impression that he is laying the ground for a change of heart.

Three separate statements that explicitly set out plans for the titles that would be used after the death of the Queen have been removed in recent months.

The question of the duchess’s future title has been a source of controversy since her marriage to Prince Charles in 2005. The decision is sensitive because of her reputation as the woman who had an affair with the future king while he was married to Diana.

The duchess’s public image has improved in recent years, helped by charity work and a skilful PR campaign, but a poll last August suggested that two thirds of Britons did not think she should be queen, and only 19% thought she was fit for the role.

Clarence House said that the position on the duchess’s title had not changed.

A spokesman said: ‘‘Our Frequently Asked Questions are updated regularly. This is one question that Clarence House has not been asked by the public for some time, which is why it no longer features.’’

Penny Junor, the royal biographer, said: ‘‘If they were still absolutely adamant that there was no question that she would be called Princess Consort, I can see no reason why they would not have left it there on the website.’’

She added: ‘‘My hunch is that he will not allow her to be called anything that is remotely demeaning. I suspect that she will be called queen.’’