The Queen Consort’s teenage grandchildren will play a central role in King Charles’s coronation alongside Prince George as heir to the throne, sources say.
Camilla has reportedly indicated she wants her five grandchildren; Lola and Eliza, both 15, Freddy, 13, and twins Louis and Gus, also 13, to hold the canopy over her as she is anointed with holy oil on May 6.
In the past, duchesses have performed the role, which is considered one of the most sacred parts of the ceremony.
A royal insider told The Times: ‘The Queen Consort has said she does not want duchesses. She would like it to be her grandchildren.’
It’s a significant decision given the fact Camilla’s grandchildren have been largely shielded from the spotlight over the years.
The Queen Consort’s grandchildren will play a central role in King Charles’s coronation alongside Prince George as heir to the throne
But sources say the King and Queen Consort are keen to get them involved to acknowledge how close they are to the teenagers, and to reflect the reality of their life as a blended family.
Lola and Freddy are the children of Camilla’s son Tom Parker Bowles, while Eliza, Louis and Gus are the children of her daughter, Laura Lopes. The King is also said to be incredibly close to each of them.
Prince George, as future monarch, is also expected to be handed an official role.
King Charles and the Queen Consort – who will drop the consort title after the coronation – will reportedly sit down with the Prince and Princess of Wales in the coming weeks to discuss George’s involvement.
Royal sources told the publication William and Kate are both keen for George to be involved in an official capacity, provided he’s not subjected to excessive scrutiny.
The insider said: ‘It sends a nice signal and is quite a bold move. It is another example of the King and Queen Consort being unafraid to shake things up a bit to reflect the realities of modern life, of which a blended family is a central element.’
King Charles and the Queen Consort – who will drop the consort title after the coronation – will reportedly sit down with the Prince and Princess of Wales in the coming weeks to discuss George’s involvement
Royal sources told the publication William and Kate are both keen for George to be involved in an official capacity, provided he’s not subjected to excessive scrutiny
Royal commentator Katie Nicholl previously detailed how Camilla loves being a grandmother.
She said the Queen Consort has long made an effort to ‘remind’ her husband not to miss out on cherished moments with his family.
Camilla’s popularity has soared in the nation in recent years and she’s now known as one of the hardest working royals.
So great is her remarkable transformation in the public eye, she’s now likely to drop ‘Consort’ from her title – a feat many thought would never happen due to the disdain many held for her in the early days of her relationship with Charles.
The first sign of the new approach came last week when Camilla launched the ‘Queen’s Reading Room’ – without the ‘Consort’ – when she updated the name of her charity, the Duchess of Cornwall’s Reading Room.
It is thought that the Court Circular – the official register of Royal engagements – may also soon reflect the change.
A well-placed source said: ‘There’s a view in the Palace that Queen Consort is cumbersome and it might be simpler for Camilla to be known just as the Queen when the time is right.’
When Charles and Camilla married in April 2005, she did not take on the title of Princess of Wales, as it was so closely associated in the public consciousness with the late Princess Diana
Buckingham Palace officials have been looking at precedent, including the titles used for the wife of King George VI, Charles’s grandfather.
As a non-reigning Queen, George VI’s wife was technically Queen Consort but was known in public simply as Queen Elizabeth.
Following his death in 1952, she was known as the Queen Mother when her daughter Elizabeth II ascended the throne.
Similarly, when Queen Victoria died and was succeeded by her son Edward VII, his wife went from being known as the Princess of Wales to Queen Alexandra, without the use of the ‘Consort’.
After years of speculation, it was the Queen’s strong show of support last year which meant Camilla’s title when Charles was King became clearer.
In an official statement released by Buckingham Palace on the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne, Her late Majesty said: ‘It is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service.’
The official decree set down by Queen Elizabeth II ended years of speculation as to whether Camilla would ever be known as Queen and left no doubt in the minds of the public of the late Queen’s position on the matter.
Camilla has now been married to Charles for 18 years, and in that time has won over a large portion of the general public
