Queen Camilla is happily celebrating her 77th birthday today, July 17, and no doubt Princess Kate will be among the many well-wishers for her special day.
When Charles became King in September 2022 Camilla also became his Queen, after the late Queen Elizabeth expressed her desire for her son’s wife to be known as such when the time came for her to sit on the throne.
Princess Kate therefore inherited her title Duchess of Cornwall, but what some may not realise is that Camilla was also technically the Princess of Wales before Kate.
At the time of Charles and Camilla’s wedding in April 2005 it was understood that she would go by the title HRH Duchess of Cornwall, even though she was technically entitled to use Princess of Wales.
However it is believed that Camilla declined to use it out of respect to the late Princess of Wales, Princess Diana, and also to avoid creating any ill feeling amongst members of the public who were still devoted to Charles’s ex-wife.
Kate now holds three different royal titles – Princess of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall and Duchess of Cambridge, as she and Prince William were gifted the Cambridge titles after their marriage in 2011.
She was warmly welcomed back to Wimbledon last Sunday in only her second public appearance this year, after her cancer diagnosis was announced in March.
With both her and King Charles taking time off due to ill health, Camilla has stepped up to the plate and helped William hold the fort when it comes to royal duties.
Princess Anne has also been on-hand to help out, however she too was forced to take a break from royal duties after an accident left her with minor injuries, including a concussion.
This week has been particularly busy for the King and Queen, as they spent Monday and Tuesday on a royal tour of the two biggest Channel Islands, Jersey and Guernsey.
The birthday celebrations will have to wait until later too as Camilla is set to accompany her husband to Westminster for the State Opening of Parliament today.
Luckily the royals will shortly be able to enjoy a family holiday together after a tough year, as it has been confirmed that they will travel up to Balmoral next month.
William, Kate, and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis will be joining them for the break, with their arrival pencilled in for the middle of August.
However a source confirmed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had not been invited, despite hopes that they may bring Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet over to see the King.
