‘Camilla should become Queen Consort’

LONDON, United Kingdom: Queen Elizabeth 2nd on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) said she wanted Camilla, the wife of her heir Prince Charles, to ultimately be known as Queen Consort, in a major statement on the eve of the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne.

The 95-year-old British monarch said it was her “sincere wish” that when Charles becomes king, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort. It had been previously expected that Camilla, 74, would be known as Princess Consort when Charles, 73, accedes to the throne.

Addressing the nation in a written statement signed “Your Servant, Elizabeth R,” the queen said that when “in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and Camilla “the same support that you have given me.”

“It is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service,” she added.

The statement shows that the queen is planning for the future after her death and holds Camilla, who married Charles in a civil ceremony in 2005, in high esteem.

The couple, now known as the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, had a highly publicized relationship that ended their previous marriages and there had been doubts over whether the public would accept Camilla becoming known as queen.

But she has become a hardworking member of the royal family and has seen her public approval rating grow.

In December, the queen appointed Camilla, a member of the ancient Order of the Garter, the only spouse of her children to be granted this honor.

Britain’s Sunday newspapers swiftly put the story on their front pages.

“Camilla WILL become Queen,” wrote the Daily Mail, while The Sunday Times wrote “Queen anoints Queen Camilla,” saying the move ended “years of controversy and confusion over Camilla’s future title.”

A spokesman for the couple said they were “touched and honored.”

Pledge of service

The queen issued a personal and SIGNIfiCANT MESSAGE ON THE EVE OF the 70th anniversary of the day that her father, King George 6th, died from lung cancer and she became monarch at 25.

As usual, the queen is at her Sandringham estate for the anniversary.

She wrote in her message that: “It