Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, has officially become Queen Consort as Prince Charles ascends to the throne following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

The late monarch passed away at the age of 96 on September 8, leaving behind a legacy of 70 years of reign.

Camilla's new title comes as a surprise to many, as it was previously thought that she would be known as Princess Consort out of respect for Charles' first wife, the late Princess Diana.

However, Queen Elizabeth II herself confirmed her wish that Camilla would be given the title of Queen Consort.

Her Majesty sought to answer questions about the Duchess' future title during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations earlier this year.

The news of the Queen's passing came after concerns were raised about her health, and she had been residing at Balmoral in Aberdeenshire throughout the summer.

Her last official duty was welcoming her 15th Prime Minister, Liz Truss, earlier this week.

Now, at the age of 73, King Charles will take on his mother's prestigious role with his wife, Camilla, by his side as Queen Consort.

A statement from the Royal Family confirmed the news, stating that the Queen died peacefully at Balmoral.

The King and Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral for the evening and return to London tomorrow.

There had been suggestions that Camilla would be known as Princess Consort due to public opinion, but a Clarence House spokesman confirmed that the then Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall were touched and honoured by the Queen's decision.

The late Prince Philip did not take the title of King and was known as Prince Consort.

The title of Queen Consort refers to the spouse of a ruling king.

The uncertainty over Camilla's new title had been a long-running topic of debate among the nation, with many wondering if she would ever become Queen.

Camilla and Charles entered a civil marriage in 2005, nine years after Charles and Princess Diana divorced and eight years after the princess's untimely death.

Camilla had previously been married to Andrew Parker Bowles, with whom she has two children.

The Duchess of Cornwall automatically acquired the rank as the second highest woman in the British Order of Precedence after the late Queen Elizabeth II.

When Charles's first wife, the popular and glamorous Princess Diana, died aged 36 in a car crash in Paris in 1997, Camilla was depicted by the media as the most hated woman in Britain, someone who could never marry Charles, let alone become Queen.

Charles and Diana separated in 1992 and divorced in 1996.

Diana had blamed Camilla, often portrayed as staid and dowdy, for wrecking her marriage, and the now 75-year-old Camilla has perennially been compared with Charles's photogenic first wife.

However, since Charles and Camilla's marriage in 2005, she has come to be recognised, albeit grudgingly by some, as a key member of the royal family.

Her calming effect on her husband has helped him deal with his role as King.

“‘I'd suffer anything for you.

That's love.

That's the strength of love,' Camilla told Charles in a secretly recorded telephone conversation publicised in 1993.

Any lingering doubts about her future status were finally dispelled on the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's accession to the throne in February this year.

Elizabeth gave her blessing to Camilla taking the title of Queen Consort, saying it was her sincere wish that she do so.

“‘As we have sought together to serve and support Her Majesty and the people of our communities, my darling wife has been my own steadfast support throughout,' Charles said at the time.

In conclusion, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, has officially become Queen Consort as Prince Charles ascends to the throne.