As I’ve said before, this part of the summer is traditionally the “silly season” of royal gossip. The Windsors decamp to Scotland and they’re barely seen for two months. Basically, there’s a whole lotta nothing happening for the new king and queen. Which explains the increasingly macabre headlines about King Charles and his consort. It’s very clear that replacing beloved QEII with two unpleasant septuagenarians has left many people feeling quite apathetic about the monarchy. Which is why there’s a steady stream of reporting about what happens when King Charles dies, what happens when Camilla dies, and what William will do “as king.” Back in June, there were reporters already talking about what Camilla’s title would be if she outlives Charles. Now People Mag is getting in on the same speculation with: “What Happens to Queen Camilla If King Charles Dies? All About the Royal Role She Would Step Into.”
King Charles and Queen Camilla’s teams likely prepared for every situation — including what would happen if the monarch dies first. Though the King has longevity in his genes — his father Prince Philip died at age 99 in 2021, just two months before his 100th birthday, and his mother Queen Elizabeth died at age 96 last September — the entire line of succession will shift when he dies someday. Prince William would immediately accede as monarch, and Kate Middleton is expected to be known as Queen or Queen Consort.
The ripple would continue to Queen Camilla, whose technical title would be the Queen Dowager, the Daily Mirror reported.
According to the outlet, the royal title was first used by Queen Adelaide, who survived her husband, King William IV. King William died in 1837, and his wife lived for another 12 years. All the couple’s children died in infancy, and the crown passed to William’s niece Queen Victoria.
If she were to become a widow, Queen Camilla would likely be free to take on the next chapter however she felt was best. She might privately retire to Ray Mill House, her home in the countryside, or continue her charity work with key causes like health, literacy, the arts and supporting survivors of rape and sexual assault.
First of all, I still say that Charles will survive Camilla, but it’s absolutely clear from this incessant death-talk that the palace is failing to disclose some health issues for one or both of them. I suspect it’s Camilla – her people are making it clear that she doesn’t want to travel anymore, plus she’s been disappearing for weeks at a time, only to reappear and stagger around like she’s either drunk or heavily medicated. Now, if Camilla does survive her husband? Well, the Dowager Queen isn’t doing jacksh-t. She’s going to Ray Mill and she won’t hang around, trying to be some beloved elder stateswoman. Please. Besides, Camilla will be lucky if King William doesn’t demand that she be thrown into a funeral pyre too.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.
- Westminster, London, UK. 13th March 2023. His Majesty King Charles III and a windswept Camilla, Queen Consort attend a service for Commonwealth Day at Westminster Abbey.,Image: 762524484, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Supplied by AVALON – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon – London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Madrid: +34 91 533 4289, Model Release: no, Credit line: Photo by Amanda Rose / Avalon
- Britain’s Queen Camilla sits on a bench in London Square Community Garden at Chelsea Flower Show in London, Britain, May 22, 2023,Image: 778307422, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: TOBY MELVILLE / Avalon
- Britain’s Queen Camilla visits Chelsea Flower Show in London, Britain, May 22, 2023,Image: 778307505, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: TOBY MELVILLE / Avalon
- King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive for their visit at Poundbury on June 27, 2023 in Dorchester, Dorset. The King and Queen are visiting the The Duchy of Cornwall’s Poundbury development to view a new bronze relief and to open The Duke of Edinburgh Garden. NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS,Image: 785622450, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon
- Britain’s Queen Camilla reacts as she looks at a cake depicting Britain’s King Charles III during a visit of the Sandringham Flower Show, in Sandrigham, north west England, on July 26, 2023.,Image: 792073974, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: DANIEL LEAL / Avalon
- King Charles III and Camilla Queen Consort attend a reception to thank the community of Aberdeenshire for their organisation and support following the death of Queen Elizabeth II at Station Square, the Victoria & Albert Halls, Ballater. Featuring: Camilla Queen Consort Where: Aberdeenshire, Scotland, United Kingdom When: 11 Oct 2022 Credit: PA Images/ Images **North America Rights Only**
- Royals Attend Christmas Day Service At St Mary Magdalene Church In Sandringham Featuring: Camilla Queen Consort Where: Norfolk, England, United Kingdom When: 25 Dec 2022 Credit: PA Images/ Images **North America Rights Only**
- Members of the British Royal family attend the Easter Mattins Service at Windsor Castlle Featuring: Camilla, Queen Consort Where: Windsor, United Kingdom When: 09 Apr 2023 Credit: Cover Images
- Queen Camilla meets former racing horse Percy Toplis during a visit to The British Racing School in Newmarket, Suffolk, to mark their 40th anniversary. Over the past four decades it has trained thousands of people and equipped them with the skills to excel in Britain’s second biggest spectator sport, horse racing. Featuring: Queen Camilla Where: Newmarket, United Kingdom When: 01 Jun 2023 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
- Queen Camilla meets Khadijah Mellah winner of the 2019 Magnolia Cup during a visit to The British Racing School in Newmarket, Suffolk, to mark their 40th anniversary. Over the past four decades it has trained thousands of people and equipped them with the skills to excel in Britain’s second biggest spectator sport, horse racing. Featuring: Queen Camilla Where: Newmarket, United Kingdom When: 01 Jun 2023 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
- Queen Camilla views a horse called ‘You’re Hired’ in the Best Turned Out section in the main yard during a visit to The British Racing School in Newmarket, Suffolk, to mark their 40th anniversary. Over the past four decades it has trained thousands of people and equipped them with the skills to excel in Britain’s second biggest spectator sport, horse racing. Featuring: Queen Camilla Where: Newmarket, United Kingdom When: 01 Jun 2023 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
- Reception with authors, actors and lovers of literature attending the inaugural Queen’s Reading Room Literary Festival at Hampton Court Palace. Featuring: Camilla Queen Consort Where: London, United Kingdom When: 11 Jun 2023 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
