Will Camilla Become The Duchess Of Edinburgh When Prince Charles Becomes King?

The reign of Prince Charles as king will lead to several changes in the monarchy, especially in the titles of the other members of the royal family. One of the things that make royal followers wonder is whether his wife, Camilla Parker Bowles, will become the new Duchess of Edinburgh when he becomes king.

Currently, Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth, holds the title Duke of Edinburgh. In the event that he dies before Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles will automatically inherit the title. While Camilla holds no title of her own, she may have courtesy titles by virtue of her marriage to Prince Charles. But that will never include the title Duchess of Edinburgh.

When Prince Charles ascends the throne, all his titles will merge with the Crown. However, that doesn’t include the Edinburgh title, which will automatically be available for recreation. Since Prince Charles’ brother, Prince Edward, is currently the chief of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme, the title will likely be recreated for him.

Under British common law, Camilla will be entitled to be known by the exact feminine mirror of Prince Charles’ title when he becomes king. That means that when Prince Charles becomes the new monarch, people will call Camilla queen, though she may not necessarily be styled as such. At no stage, either before Charles ascends the throne or after, will Camilla be referred to as the Duchess of Edinburgh.

As explained by royal expert Jordan James, Prince Edward was promised the title Duke of Edinburgh when he got married. Since the title is hereditary, it doesn’t necessarily follow that Prince Charles will have the title when he becomes king.

“The wife of the King only uses the feminine version of her husband’s titles,” said James. “Since Duke of Edinburgh would not be a part of the King’s title, Camilla would not use the feminine version of such a title,” he added.

He also explained that when a person becomes monarch, all the titles he held previously become absorbed by the Crown. “So even if Charles had held the title Duke of Edinburgh before becoming King, it wouldn’t make a difference because that title would essentially disappear once he becomes King,” he said.

James explained that since Prince Edward will inherit the title Duke of Edinburgh, his wife, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, and not Camilla, will be entitled to the title Duchess of Edinburgh.