Camilla had no interest in becoming Queen, insiders say (Image: Getty)
While the Royal family’s public image may seem to be all about the glitz and glamour, there’s a significant amount of effort that goes unnoticed, according to Royal expert Roya Nikkhah.
Roya, The Times’s Royal editor, points out in that this dedication is evident when royals like the Duchess of Edinburgh go the extra mile to ensure press photographers capture every angle, ensuring events are showcased in the best possible light.
However, King Charles, with over 60 years of public service under his belt since his first engagement at a student garden party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in June 1965, can occasionally grow weary of the constant formalities. At such times, it’s Camilla who steps in with her reliable charm to boost the King’s spirits.
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Sometimes, the King tires of his endless public engagements (Image: PA)
“Sometimes when the king doesn’t want to do a photo, Camilla will rally him and say ‘Come on, darling,’ and she makes it work. And that’s why the photographers love her,” Roya revealed.
Camilla has a knack for lifting her husband’s mood, especially during his more reflective moments.
Royal biographer Penny Junor shared with Vanity Fair: “She always has a twinkle in her eye and is a terrible giggler, often reducing Charles to fits of giggles too.”
Yet, there are aspects of Royal life that even the Queen finds less appealing. It’s said that she had a rather forthright reaction upon learning that she would assume a new title following the death of her husband’s mother, reports .
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Tom Quinn of The Times shared an inside scoop, revealing: “One member of staff told me that at one point, Camilla hated the idea of being queen and would regularly say to Charles, ‘Can’t we get away from all this protocol? It’s all b******s.'” Royal insiders have indicated that His Majesty, who is reputed for his aversion to coarse language, would calmly retort: “You’re doing it [becoming queen] for me, darling.”
It seems Camilla never had designs on the ultimate royal title. As depicted in her account of the then-Duchess, biographer Penny Junor noted: “She wanted no more from life than to be happily married to an upper-class man and live a sociable life in the country with horses, dogs, children, and someone to look after them all and do the hard graft.”
Uncovered in ‘The Duchess: The Untold Story’, Junor describes how Camilla’s straightforward demeanor created a robust bond with Prince Charles, as he was known then.
Junor observes: “She treated him like a normal person, as she had when they were together, and if ever he behaved badly, or was selfish or thoughtless, she wasn’t afraid to tell him so. She was a proper friend.”
The couple’s on-and-off romance dates back over 50 years (Image: Getty Images)
Charles and Camilla: A timeline of their romance
1970: Charles first meets Camilla Shand at a polo match. They form a close friendship, though at the time, Charles was still dating other women.
1973: Camilla marries Andrew Parker Bowles, a British Army officer. Charles continues to be friends with her, and they stay in touch over the years.
1980s: Charles and Camilla rekindle their relationship during his marriage to Princess Diana. Their relationship becomes public knowledge, though it faces considerable controversy.
1992: The marriage between Charles and Diana begins to deteriorate, and it becomes clear that Charles and Camilla’s relationship is significant again.
1995: Charles publicly admits his infidelity during a TV interview with Jonathan Dimbleby. Diana also discusses the breakdown of their marriage.
2005: After years of speculation, Charles and Camilla announce their engagement. They marry on April 9, 2005, in a civil ceremony in Windsor.
2022: Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Charles ascends the throne, and Camilla becomes the Queen Consort. Their relationship, once controversial, is now viewed as a symbol of enduring partnership.