LONDON —
Queen Elizabeth II on Sunday became the first British monarch to reign for seven decades,
expressing her "sincere wish" for Camilla, the wife of her heir
Prince Charles, to ultimately be known as Queen Consort.
اضافة اعلان
Elizabeth II made the announcement in a
message renewing her pledge to spend her life serving the nation as she began
her Platinum Jubilee in subdued fashion at Sandringham, her estate in eastern
England.
Britain's longest-serving monarch acceded to
the throne aged 25 on February 6, 1952, following the death of her father
King George VI.
In a major statement on the future of the
royal family, the 95-year-old expressed her "sincere wish that, when that
time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort".
Images of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II are displayed on the big digital screens at Piccadilly Circus in central London on February 6, 2022, to mark the start of Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee Year. (Photo: AFP)
Charles warmly praised Camilla in a message
marking the Jubilee, saying: "my darling wife has been my own steadfast
support throughout", adding that they were "deeply conscious of the
honor represented by my mother's wish".
He paid tribute to the Queen's "devotion
to the welfare of all her people (which) inspires still greater admiration with
each passing year".
The Queen said she hoped that when Charles,
now 73, becomes monarch, the British people would give him and Camilla, now 74,
"the same support that you have given me".
Charles and Camilla, now known as the Duke
and Duchess of Cornwall, had a highly publicized adulterous relationship and
Camilla was vilified for her role in the break-up of Charles' marriage to
Princess Diana.
When the couple married in 2005, the royal
family announced that
Camilla would become known as Princess Consort due to the
sensitivity of the issue, but she has gradually won plaudits as the future
king's loyal wife.
The Queen's suggestion means Camilla would
be crowned alongside Charles and be known to the public as Queen Camilla, The
Sunday Telegraph wrote.
'Historic reign'
With the main Platinum Jubilee celebrations
set for this summer, the Queen said she hoped the events would
"bring together families and friends, neighbors, and
communities".
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he looks
forward to the summer "when we will be able to come together as a country
to celebrate her historic reign".
He also praised the Queen's
"inspirational sense of duty and unwavering dedication".
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in a tribute
said the Queen's reign "has been unique and an inspiration to people
around the world".
Four days of festivities are planned for
early June, coinciding with the anniversary of her 1953 coronation, including a
military parade and music concert, street parties, a nationwide "Big
Jubilee Lunch" and a "Platinum Pudding Competition".
On Monday, there will be ceremonial gun
salutes marking Accession Day in London's Green Park, close to Buckingham
Palace, and at Edinburgh Castle in Scotland.
During her reign, the Queen has remained a
constant through periods of huge social and political upheaval — a living link
to Britain's post-war and imperial past.
In her message addressed to the public
signed "Your servant, Elizabeth R", the Queen said she wanted
"to express my thanks to you all for your support".
She also renewed a pledge she first gave in
a broadcast on her 21st birthday "that my life will always be devoted to
your service".
In September 2015, she surpassed Queen Victoria's
63 years and seven months on the throne and, despite some health concerns over
the past year, her latest message shows she is determined to continue her
record-breaking reign.
After husband
Philip's death in April last
year, the Queen returned to public and official engagements, including hosting
world leaders at the G7 summit.
She was forced to slow down on advice from
doctors, however, after an overnight hospital stay in October sparked public
concern.
Since then, she has largely stayed at
Windsor Castle and made few public appearances.
But on Saturday, the Queen held a reception
for locals at Sandringham, reportedly her largest in-person public engagement
since the autumn health scare.
Read more Trending