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Old 02-10-2005, 02:04 PM
dekeguy dekeguy is offline
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Virginia and London
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Actually, Edward VIII renounced the throne due to political pressure arising from societal norms of the early 1930s, not due to any constitutional convention requiring him to do so. Mrs. Simpson was not Catholic but was divorced and this was considered much differently in those days.

As to the question of whether one not born a princess can be a queen there is no British constitutional convention which precludes this. Her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother was Lady Bows-Lyon, daughter of an Earl prior to her marriage to the future George VI. By tradition the wife of the king normally, but not always, becomes Queen consort (as opposed to the current soverign who is Queen regnant). The husband of a Queen regnant is normally titled as Prince consort and given rank as a royal duke if not already one in his own right. Albert of Saxe Coburg Gotha was a german prince and duke prior to his marriage to Victoria and was subsequently created a Prince of the United Kingdom. If Diana, Princess of Wales were still alive and still married to Prince Charles at the time of his acsession then she would have become queen consort.

The decision to title Camilla as Princess Consort is rather more political than constitutionally mandated. As to Prince Charles' decision to marry her, I think it reflects well on him to choose a person of demonstrable wit, depth, and maturity rather than just superficial attractiveness. I have met her through her son who was a friend of my cousin while they were at university. I was most impressed with her as a lady of great charm and deep intelligence. I wish them both great happiness.
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