Camilla heartbreak: The rule giving Princess Anne power over Camilla when Charles absent

CAMILLA, DUCHESS OF CORNWALL had known Prince Charles for decades before she married him in 2005.

Camilla was granted the style of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall upon her marriage by the Queen.

Both divorced, the wedding of Charles and Camilla took place in a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip did not attend the wedding ceremony, but were present at the Church of England Service of Prayer and Dedication.

They also held a reception for the couple in Windsor Castle afterwards.

Prince Charles, who has been heir to the throne since the age of three, will one day become King of the United Kingdom.

As such, Camilla will be the wife of the highest-ranking member of the Royal Family.

However, even in this position, the Duchess of Cornwall will not be able to hold a senior position in her own right.

Then accompanied by Charles, Camilla is the second-highest ranking woman in the Royal Family, after the Queen.

However, should the Prince of Wales not be present, she dramatically drops in rank.

When alone, she falls behind the Queen’s daughter Princess Anne as well as Princess Alexandra - the youngest granddaughter of King George V and the Queen’s cousin.

Camilla will also not become Queen Consort when her husband becomes King.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams spoke about the royal title Camilla will likely receive when Charles takes the throne.

Mr Fitzwilliams told Express.co.uk: "We've only quite recently had the clarification again that Camilla will be Princess Consort, not Queen Consort.

"Princess Consort historically is something that doesn't exist, it's been invented.

"This was clarified subsequently because people did think that Camilla would be Queen.

"The only reason Camilla isn't Queen Consort is, of course, because of the background with Diana."

In March, Clarence House issued a statement, explaining the plan for Camilla’s future title.

The statement read: “The intention is for the Duchess to be known as Princess Consort when the Prince accedes to the throne.

“This was announced at the time of the marriage and there has been absolutely no change at all.”

When Charles and Camilla married, it was confirmed when he ascended to the throne, she would not take on the title of Queen Consort.

Clarence House announced at the time: "It is intended that Mrs Parker Bowles should use the title HRH The Princess Consort when The Prince of Wales accedes to The Throne."

By AMALIE HENDEN: PUBLISHED: 10:00, Thu, Sep 24, 2020 |