Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post

ShaniFaye · 03-21-2005, 04:07 PM

I was reading the article today
http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe....ap/index.html

Quote:

UK minister: Camilla can be queen

Monday, March 21, 2005 Posted: 1:33 PM EST (1833 GMT)

LONDON, England (AP) -- Camilla Parker Bowles can become queen after all, despite earlier statements by Prince Charles that she will take a lesser title after marrying him, the government has said.

Replying to a question from a lawmaker, Constitutional Affairs Minister Christopher Leslie said in a written statement Monday that the marriage of Charles and Parker Bowles would not be "morganatic" -- in which the spouse of inferior status has no claim to the standing of the other.

"This is absolutely unequivocal that she automatically becomes queen when he becomes king," said Andrew Mackinlay, the lawmaker who raised the question.

The Department for Constitutional Affairs confirmed that interpretation, saying that legislation would be required to deny Parker Bowles the title of queen. Similar legislation apparently would be required in more than a dozen countries -- such as Australia, Jamaica and Canada -- in which the British sovereign is the head of state.

In a gesture to public sentiment against Parker Bowles ever becoming queen, Charles said when he announced the April 8 marriage that she would take the title of "princess consort" if he succeeds to the throne.

Until then, she would be known as Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall following the civil wedding.

Prime Minister Tony Blair's office was in no hurry to address any complications over the bride's title.

"The position at the moment is limited to what the title would be on her marriage. In terms of any future events, let's wait until future events arise," Blair's official spokesman said.

Asked whether she would automatically become queen in the absence of specific legislation about her title, the spokesman replied: "I'm not disputing what you have said."

Mackinlay said that if Charles insists on his wife not being queen, legislation would be needed in those countries where the British monarch is head of state.

"I'm perfectly happy for the Prince of Wales to marry whoever he likes, but altering the constitution is parliament's business and this does require an alteration to the constitution," Mackinlay said.

"It shouldn't be done for one man and one man alone."

When Charles announced the wedding, he said "it is intended that Mrs. Parker Bowles should use the title HRH the Princess Consort when the Prince of Wales accedes to the throne."

Some commentators believe Charles was seeking to buy time to win over public acceptance of his wife as queen while maintaining respect for the memory of his first wife, the late Princess Diana.

Public opinion polls have indicated broad public support for the marriage, but continued strong resistance to giving her the title of queen.

Diana, who died in a car crash in 1997, had blamed Parker Bowles for the breakup of her marriage.

Can someone explain how this works? Im confused because Prince Phillip didnt become "king" when he married Elizabeth...was it because she was already Queen when they married?