Queen Camilla reportedly refused to use Princess Diana‘s title after marrying now-King Charles for a reason. As per a source, Camilla opted to use the title Duchess of Cornwall instead of Princess of Wales out of respect for the late Princess. Moreover, even Kate Middleton was a little hesitant to use the title.
Queen Camilla didn’t want to use Princess Diana’s title out of respect, claims report
Diana assumed the title of Princess of Wales after marrying the then-Prince of Wales, Charles, in 1981. The late princess retained the title even after finalising her divorce with Charles in 1996. However, the title became dormant after her unexpected death. But when Camilla married Prince Charles in 2005, she was supposed to publicly use the title, Princess of Wales. However, she opted not to. According to a 2005 NBC News report, Camilla chose to use the lesser-known Duchess of Cornwall title “in deference to enduring public affection for Diana.”
Stating the same reason, even The Standard reported in a 2022 retrospective that “out of respect for Charles’s late ex-wife, Princess Diana, it was agreed (Camilla) would not use the Princess of Wales title,” per InStyle. However, later in 2022, Queen Elizabeth gave Camilla her blessing to be known as “queen consort” when Charles takes over the throne. “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; and 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 late monarch said, per NBC News, in a recorded message released on the eve of her Platinum Jubilee.
So when Elizabeth passed away the same year, Camilla was bestowed with the title as directed. And after her coronation on May 6, 2023, she is known as Queen Camilla. And it seems even Kate Middleton reportedly had reservations about using her late mother-in-law’s title. “Courtiers said that while Catherine had a full appreciation of the history associated with the role, she was determined to find her own path,” Russell Myers wrote in his biography “William and Catherine, The Monarchy’s New Era: The Inside Story,” per an excerpt published in People.
