Britain’s Queen Elizabeth said on Saturday she wants Prince Charles‘s wife, Camilla, to be named queen consort when he becomes sovereign, cementing her place in the heart of the royal family after to have once been considered an outsider.

In a letter written to mark the 70th anniversary of her accession to her throne, Elizabeth said the occasion had made her reflect on the loyalty and affection shown to her by the British public.

She said that she hoped that Charles and Camilla would receive the same support.

“(It is) my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service,” Elizabeth said.

Charles and Camilla, longtime lovers, married in 2005 in a civil ceremony in Windsor. Her residence at Clarence House said on Saturday they were “moved and humbled by Her Majesty’s words.”

Elizabeth’s decision reflects a greater acceptance of Camilla‘s status as a member of royalty.

Tabloids no longer attack her as they did in the decade following the 1997 death of Charles’s first wife, Princess Diana.

Camilla – whose current title is Duchess of Cornwall – now regularly represents the royal family alongside Charles at his official functions.

Throughout British history, the wife of a king has often been given the title of queen consort. At the time of her marriage, it had been officially decided that Camilla would use the title of princess consort if Charles became king.

As Elizabeth celebrates 70 years on the British throne on Sunday – an unprecedented stretch – the anniversary comes at a time of upheaval for the royal family.

From the sexual abuse court case facing her son Prince Andrew to accusations by her grandson Prince Harry and his wife of racism in the royal household, rarely has the 95-year-old Elizabeth‘s family faced so much scrutiny and headlines. harmful.

Last year she lost her husband of 73 years, Felipe, whom she acknowledged in her letter on Saturday.

“I was fortunate to have in Prince Philip a partner willing to play the role of consort and selflessly make the sacrifices that go with it. It is a role I saw my own mother play during my father’s reign,” Elizabeth said.

✍️ On the eve of the 70th anniversary of her Accession to the throne, The Queen has written a message thanking the public and her family for their support, and looking forward to #PlatinumJubilee celebrations over the coming year. #HM70 pic.twitter.com/U6JfzeZMLn

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) February 5, 2022