To mark her 78th birthday, a new portrait of Queen Camilla was released today—though not everyone responded with kindness. While many royal fans shared warm birthday wishes, others used the moment to attack her title.
A Joyful Portrait in the Garden
The image, shared on July 16 across the Royal Family’s official social media channels, shows Camilla beaming in a colorful patterned blouse and gold earrings as she poses outdoors in a field.
The caption read: “Ahead of Her Majesty’s 78th birthday tomorrow, a new picture of The Queen has been released by Buckingham Palace. The image was taken this month, in the garden at Raymill, Her Majesty’s private home in Wiltshire, by Chris Jackson.”
While the post received countless positive comments celebrating the Queen, a number of online critics seized the opportunity to complain—mainly about how she was addressed in the post.
A Title That Still Divides Opinion
The main issue? The use of “The Queen” instead of “Queen Consort.”
Some Instagram users were quick to point it out. One wrote, “Queen Consort,” while another insisted, “She is not the Queen to me and never will be.”
Other similar comments included, “That is not the Queen lol,” and “She is not the queen and never will be!”
One commenter asked bluntly: “When did it change from Queen Consort to just Queen?”
Why She’s Referred to as ‘The Queen’ Now
To clarify, Camilla was originally called Queen Consort after the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022. The distinction was made to prevent confusion between Camilla and the late monarch.
However, after King Charles III’s coronation, the title “Consort” has gradually been dropped in public references. This follows historical precedent: wives of reigning British kings have typically taken on the title of Queen.
The ongoing discomfort among some people largely comes from the fact that Camilla was not Charles’ first wife. Still, during the Platinum Jubilee in February 2022, the late Queen Elizabeth officially endorsed Camilla as Queen Consort.
Consort vs. Regnant: What’s the Difference?
It’s also important to understand the distinction between a Queen Consort and a Queen Regnant.
Queen Elizabeth II was a Queen Regnant, meaning she held the throne in her own right. A Queen Consort, like Camilla, is the wife of a reigning king. But over time, many consorts—just like Camilla—have dropped the “Consort” from their title in everyday use, aligning more closely with how reigning queens are addressed.
Supporters Push Back Against Online Hate
Despite the negative remarks, many royal followers came to Camilla’s defense and wished her well on her special day.
“The comments… always disrespectful, such a shame,” one person noted.
Another replied: “So many comments from people who watched The Crown and don’t understand British history.”
Others praised her charity work and sent warm wishes: “Happy Birthday. Well done with all the work you do with literacy, women and animals,” wrote one fan.
Another added: “Happy Birthday, Your Majesty. Lovely photo!”