Queen Elizabeth II Marks 70th Year on the Throne and Requests Camilla to be Known as Queen Consort

Queen Elizabeth II has made history by becoming the first British monarch to celebrate 70 years on the throne.

On February 6th, the 95-year-old monarch shared a rare message with the public to mark the occasion, thanking them for their support throughout the last seven decades.

In her message, the Queen remembered the death of her father King George VI, who elevated her to the throne, and renewed the pledge she made on her 21st birthday to devote her entire life to the service of the UK and the Commonwealth.

The Queen also took the opportunity to thank her late husband Prince Philip for the unselfish sacrifices he had made as consort, and made an important request to smooth the future transition of the crown to her son Prince Charles.

Her Majesty outlined her sincere wishes for her daughter-in-law Camilla to be known as Queen Consort, ending years of speculation over whether Camilla would be known as Princess Consort when Charles is King.

“When, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me,” she wrote in her statement, which was shared on the official Royal website and the Royal Family's Instagram account late on the night of February 5th.

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

The Queen's request for Camilla to become Queen Consort when Prince Charles takes the throne came as a surprise to the public and royal experts, not least because the Prince of Wales' website had previously stated that she would be known as Princess Consort.

The late Princess Diana's unwavering popularity amongst the members of the public also makes the whole situation rather complicated.

Discussing the announcement, royal commentators suggested that the Queen used interesting times to announce Camilla's future title as they believed the death theme surrounding her platinum jubilee date may have focused public attention on the future of the royal family.

Presenters Rachel Birchfield and Jessica Robinson of Podcast Royal noted that the timing of the announcement alongside the Queen's platinum jubilee may have been done to win over the favour of the public as Camilla now has the backing of the monarch.

Ms Birchfield also believed the date was memorable for the Queen due to the death of her father, with reports suggesting the Queen rarely throws a big celebration on her jubilee.

She added that the Queen may have wanted to get the news out sooner rather than later to solidify the future of the royal family.

Speaking on Podcast Royal, the presenters looked at the reaction to Camilla becoming Queen Consort and believed the Queen's involvement has made public opinion more favourable.

Ms Robinson remarked that the Queen's speech was really beautiful with thoughtful words, and she wasn't totally sure if she would ever come out and make a comment about Camilla as Queen Consort or not.

However, when it comes to the reasoning behind the monarch's hasty decision to make an announcement, one expert called it a brilliant decision as the Queen assured Prince Charles would not face disruption early in his reign.

Biographer Hugo Vickers claimed that the Queen was extremely generous to brilliantly resolve the issue before Prince Charles succeeded her.

Without the announcement, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, would have become Queen Consort by law, but Her Majesty's statement clarified the Duchess's position once and for all.

Mr Vickers told the Royal Rota that he thinks it would have been an issue at the beginning of the next reign, and it's not only brilliant but extremely generous of the Queen to sort it out in this reign.

Meanwhile, ITV News Royal Editor Chris Ship said that Camilla would be known legally or be legally Queen Consort, so she should also now be able to be called Queen Consort.

The timing of the announcement was a good sensible moment to do it, when you look at it like this.

It takes that job away from her son, so Prince Charles doesn't have to do it when he's trying to manage the transition, whenever that comes.

The Queen has given her blessing, and it's a whole new outlook because Camilla will be in.