In her platinum jubilee message coinciding with her platinum jubilee, the queen has revealed her ‘sincere wish’ for Camilla to become ‘queen consort’ when Charles becomes 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.”
Releasing a message to remember Assession Day and kick start a year of jubilee celebrations, the queen thanked the British people for their support. Her mention of Camilla as the future ‘queen consort’ is unexpected but has been warmly welcomed by Prince Charles:
“We are deeply conscious of the honour represented by my mother’s wish.”
“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.”
“The year of this unprecedented Platinum Jubilee brings an opportunity for us all to come together in celebrating the service of the Queen, by whose example we will continue to be led in the years to come.”
With this message, the queen is shaping the future of the royals and clarifying Camilla’s role once and for all. As her reign enters twilight, this is seen as an important and unexpected intervention.
Platinum Jubilee – on this day 70 years ago
On this day 70 years ago, Queen Elizabeth became head of Great Britain after the death of her father, King George VI. Britain was still recovering from the rages of World War I and the queen was only 25 years old. She has been at the helm during seven decades of significant change and development and is held in deep regard by the British public as a symbol of stability.
During her reign, 14 prime ministers took charge, including Winston Churchill and the now beleaguered Boris Johnson. Her 70 years in charge could hardly have been more significant when it comes to social, political, technological change. Now aged 95, the queen remains true to her promise to serve the British public until her passing.
Today, the queen was pictured at work at Sandringham estate where she traditionally spends Accession Day. On a daily basis, the queen works through government briefs and documents. All of the papers have to be read with some requiring her Majesty’s signature.
Speaking at Westminster Abbey, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster, told those gathered that the queen was “a constant reminder that we are never ruled by a mere idea” unlike the current and widespread “push and pull of conflicting opinion” and “the divided tribal loyalties of our age”.
A Year of Celebrations and 4-Day Bank Holiday in June
While you might expect celebrations to take place today, the queen has always celebrated Accession Day in private to remember King George VI’s passing. This year is no different, with Buckingham Palace also hoping the milder and sunnier weather in June would be more suitable for nationwide celebrations and gatherings.
Late last year, the UK government published its plans for the “blockbuster weekend of celebrations”. To mark the historic, unprecedented 70-year tenure by any British monarch, the government has moved the May bank holiday to the first weekend in June, adding Thursday and Friday to make it a 4-day bank holiday of national celebrations.
Events over the four days feature a “mix the best of British ceremonial splendour and pageantry with cutting edge artistic and technological displays.”
Apart from London and other big UK cities, the Commonwealth will join in the celebrations too. During the long bank holiday, visitors can enjoy entry to both Balmoral and Sandringham.
On a dedicated website, the UK government is inviting the public to take part and get involved, outlining events, competitions, and ways to participate.
