Camilla could be queen unless law is changed

THE British government has confirmed the Prince of Wales’s marriage to Camilla Parker Bowles will not be “morganatic”, meaning she would automatically become queen when he succeeds to the throne unless legislation is passed.

Constitutional Affairs Minister Christopher Leslie confirmed the status of the marriage in a written Commons reply to Labour backbencher Andrew Mackinlay.

The MP asked whether “the proposed marriage of HRH the Prince of Wales to Camilla Parker Bowles is morganatic”.

Mr Leslie replied: “No.”

Mr Mackinlay said: “This is absolutely unequivocal that she automatically becomes Queen when he becomes King.”

Mrs Parker Bowles will be known as the Duchess of Cornwall after her marriage and Princess Consort when the Prince of Wales succeeds to the throne.

Government sources have said legislation would be needed to “comply with her wishes not to become queen”, but no details have been given.

The MP said legislation would be needed in 17 parliaments around the world, where the British monarch is head of state, for the change to be made.

“This does require an alteration to the constitution,” Mr Mackinlay said.

“It shouldn’t be done for one man and one man alone. There are two other things that should be altered - one is the primogeniture rule and the other is the limit on the religious faith of the person who can marry the heir to the throne.”

Primogeniture is the process by which the throne passes first down the male line.

“The government has said that, among other things, the Prince’s right to marry is enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights - well, these other two limitations are clearly at odds with it,” added Mr Mackinlay.

He said the British government may fear that asking parliaments in countries such as Canada, New Zealand and Australia for special legislation may stir up republican sentiments there.