5 Royal Traditions Camilla Has Quietly Changed as Queen

Since her marriage to King Charles in 2005, Queen Camilla has now settled into life as Britain’s Queen, but her time in the role has also brought a few quiet changes to long-standing royal traditions. From the way she supports the King and upholds the monarchy at official engagements to how her former family is represented around the royals, Camilla has slowly created a role that feels more modern and personal. Here are five royal traditions she has changed since becoming Queen.

Among other revolutionary changes, one of Camilla’s biggest changes was moving away from the traditional system of ladies-in-waiting. Instead, she introduced the role of Queen’s Companions, a less formal arrangement designed to give her support at selected public engagements. Along with a different title, her companions' duties are also different from those of traditional ladies-in-waiting.

When King Charles became monarch in September 2022, Camilla was initially known as Queen Consort. But following her coronation in May 2023, the word 'Consort' was quietly dropped, and she became known simply as Queen Camilla. The change may sound small to many, but for those versed in royal traditions, it marked an important shift. The palace's decision brought her title in line with the traditional way previous queens consort were known after their coronations.

This might be the biggest change in years, as Camilla has also become part of a fascinating piece of royal coin history. New 2026 coins celebrating 500 years of the Crown feature the crowned royal ciphers of both Charles and Camilla. The design looks back to the Tudor period, when coins could feature the initials of a king alongside those of his Queen Consort. Camilla’s appearance in this design connects her directly with that centuries-old tradition.

Camilla has also made her mark through her charitable work. Her reading initiative began as The Duchess of Cornwall’s Reading Room before becoming The Queen’s Reading Room when she took on her new royal role. The project, which began as a book-focused initiative during lockdown, later became a registered charity. The name change reflected Camilla’s transition from Duchess to Queen while keeping one of her biggest personal interests- books and reading— at its centre.

Perhaps one of the most personal changes is the way Camilla has allowed her own family to remain part of her public life. Her children, Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes from her first marriage, are not working royals, but they have appeared at important royal occasions. Even her grandchildren have also taken part in major events, propagating the concept of a blended family. The Royal Family's official website now also recognizes Camilla’s five grandchildren and five step-grandchildren.