Skip to main contentSkip to footer

The Duchess of Cornwall vows to keep this touching promise when she becomes Queen Consort

Camilla's future title was outlined by the Queen

duchess of cornwall queen consort promise
Danielle Stacey
Online Royal CorrespondentLondon
Share this:

The Duchess of Cornwall has vowed to continue to support victims and survivors of domestic violence once she becomes Queen Consort.

In an interview with Emma Barnett for Woman's Hour and BBC Breakfast, which aired on Thursday, Camilla, 74, said that the Queen's wish for her to be known as Queen Consort in the future represented a "great honour".

The Duchess made the promise at Clarence House as she was reunited with Diana Parkes, whose daughter Joanna Simpson was killed by her husband in 2010, and whose story Camilla credits with inspiring her work with domestic abuse victims.

READ: Duchess of Cornwall will face a big change in 2026 as Prince Charles' Queen Consort

WATCH: Camilla vows to keep this promise when she becomes Queen Consort

Camilla said: "Of course it's a great honour [becoming Queen Consort], it couldn't be anything else. But it does help it. I'm going to keep up with these causes. You know, if I start something like this, I'm not going to give up mid-channel, I'm just going to keep going to try and help the likes of people like Diana… I hope I should be doing it for a lifetime."

The Duchess, who has been raising awareness of the issue of domestic abuse for more than a decade, called for a "culture change" to tackle violence against women, with more needing to be done to teach respect at an early age.

duchess of cornwall womans hour bbc© Photo: BBC

The Duchess with Emma Barnett (left) and Diana Parkes (right) at Clarence House

"We do need to help culture change. And I think we have to start at the beginning, I think children at school have got to be taught respect," she said.

"We have got to go back to the beginnings and just build up this idea that you have to have respect for human beings, it's lack of respect. It's treating women like chattels and people thinking they can get away with it. I'm sure a lot of people do it and think that there's nothing wrong."

MORE: The Duchess of Cornwall is the 'right partner' for Prince Charles, says Princess Diana's friend

MORE: Duchess Camilla's son Tom Parker Bowles breaks silence following Queen Consort announcement

Speaking about the impact that lockdown has had on domestic abuse, Camilla said: "I don't think it's got any better. I think the lockdown was terrible because people actually couldn't escape. And you see the numbers have gone up. But on the other hand, I think it's drawn a lot of people's attention to it. I think it's talked about much more now."

The Queen outlined her wishes for the monarchy in the future as she released a personal statement to officially mark the start of her Platinum Jubilee year on 6 February.

camilla safelives patron© Photo: Getty Images

The Duchess became patron of domestic abuse charity SafeLives in 2020

"I remain eternally grateful for, and humbled by, the loyalty and affection that you continue to give me," she said. "And when, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me; and it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service."

Speaking about her mother-in-law's milestone year, Camilla added: "It's always lovely to have something happy to look forward to isn't it? I mean, we've all been through hard times. We've all been locked away from our family and friends. And now we could all get together again and celebrate."

The full interview is due to air on 24 February on Woman's Hour and BBC Breakfast and was conducted in person around three weeks ago, before Camilla was diagnosed with coronavirus.

Make sure you never miss a ROYAL story! Sign up to our newsletter to get all of our celebrity and royal news delivered directly to your inbox.

More Royalty

See more