- Queen Camilla was initially terrified to meet Prince William, and from the start, their relationship was said to be strained.
- Recent reports involving an incident between Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales have led to significant criticism from fans.
- Today, Camilla and William have developed a relatively good relationship due to mutual respect for their roles.
With rumors that Queen Camilla had taken action against Prince William and Princess Kate Middleton, the monarch has become the subject of intense controversy and criticism from the general public.
Strong reactions have been sparked by the incident, with many people taking to social media to voice their disgust and claim that Camilla’s actions were disrespectful and uncalled for.
When Prince William was a young man, Queen Camilla had been dating his father, King Charles III, since the latter’s marriage to Princess Diana.
Camilla and Charles eventually were married in 2005, following Diana’s death and years of intense public scrutiny. This marriage brought Camilla closer to William and Prince Harry.
Despite Camilla being 16 months older than Charles, they were immediately attracted to each other when they first met in the summer of 1970.
Penny Junor, who is the author of “The Duchess: Camilla Parker Bowles and the Love Affair That Rocked the Crown,” stated, “Charles loved that Camilla smiled with her eyes as well as her mouth, and laughed at the same silly things he did.”
After dating for a while, the two enjoyed a happy, calm, and blissful relationship. But they also encountered difficulties that ultimately drove them apart.
According to Penny, Charles’s great-uncle, Lord Mountbatten, disapproved of his connection with Camilla because he thought she wasn’t a virgin or aristocratic enough. Camilla was also madly in love with Andrew Parker Bowles, an Army officer.
Charles tried to prevent Camilla from marrying Andrew, but on July 4, 1973, they were married. Tom and Laura were their two children, and Camilla loved being a country wife and mother.
Despite her marriage, she and Charles remained close friends and began an affair by the late 1970s. Soon, a major scandal shook their relationship when Andrew Morton’s book “Diana, Her True Story” was published in 1992, revealing intimate details of Charles and Camilla’s affair.
Camilla was hounded by the press, received hate mail, and faced harsh comparisons to Princess Diana. In 1993, the infamous “tampongate” incident, where private conversations between Charles and Camilla were leaked, added to the humiliation.
Still, Camilla chose to stay because Charles adored and relied on her. As she reportedly told a friend, “It’s wonderful to be loved.” Charles and Camilla tied the knot at Windsor Guildhall on April 9, 2005, eight years after Diana’s death.
In the memoir “Spare,” Harry divulged that after the tragic death of their mother in 1997, both he and William pleaded with their father not to marry Camilla.
While the brothers attended the wedding, Queen Elizabeth II chose not to. She felt it was inappropriate given her role as head of the Church of England, considering both Charles and Camilla were divorced.
As their marriage progressed, Penny believed that Camilla changed Charles for the better. “He is happier with her than he has ever been. She gives him confidence and the support he has so desperately needed throughout his life and never truly found elsewhere,” wrote Penny.
As much as Camilla and Charles finally found love again in each other, things were different regarding William and Prince Harry.
Royal expert and author of “The King: The Life of Charles III,” Christopher Andersen, noted that the brothers have harbored long-standing resentment toward Camilla.
He revealed, “They pleaded with their father not to marry her and only grudgingly agreed to go along with the charade if Charles kept his promise not to make her queen.”
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The brothers knew the title of queen would have belonged to Diana if Camilla hadn’t disrupted their parents’ marriage. When Charles went back on his promise, both William and Harry felt deeply betrayed.
William wasn’t also affectionate towards his stepmother, mostly due to witnessing the messy, public breakup his parents went through due to Camilla.
Christopher claimed, “Camilla was so terrified at the prospect of meeting William that when she finally met him at Clarence House, she was trembling like a leaf and needed a vodka and tonic afterward.”
Camilla’s fear was understandable, given that she was aware of the impact her role had on Charles and Diana’s marriage.
Aside from William and Harry’s attitude towards Camilla, public opinion was also not on her side for years. This took a toll on her as she said, “It’s not easy. I was scrutinized for such a long time that you just have to find a way to live with it.”
However, Camilla emphasized that ultimately, she rose above the public scrutiny and moved forward. She noted that it was essential to continue with life despite the ongoing public attention.
Camilla also worked hard to prove her worth and obtain favor from the public. Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine and author of “My Mother and I,” noted that it was exhausting for her to be thrust into the royal world.
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Still, she was determined to thrive. Ingrid shared, “What Camilla did… she worked really hard at looking after Charles. Once she was married to Charles, she really took on the burden of royal duties, which isn’t easy for someone [who] hasn’t been brought up to it.”
As per Ingrid, Camilla’s daily life as a royal felt like attending an extravagant event every day. This would require her to dress up, meet numerous people, and engage in conversations, often with individuals she’ll never see again.
The routine could be particularly tiring for her, given that she once led a much simpler life as an army housewife. Previously, she was accustomed to casual activities like gardening, painting in her shed, and cooking without the need to constantly dress up.
She lived up to her responsibilities while trying to build a relationship with her new family. Yet, Prince William’s relationship with Camilla was not as solid ground as his relationship with his dad.
However, since ascending the throne, Charles has relied on his heir for support. Before now, claims suggest Charles was once closer to his younger son, Harry, than William.
Nevertheless, it appears that father and eldest son have reconciled, partly due to the efforts of the Princess of Wales. According to a new royal book, William’s respect for his father was not always evident during his early years as Prince of Wales.
In his book, “Catherine, The Princess of Wales: The Biography,” author Robert Jobson reveals that Camilla would often gently remind William of his position in relation to his father.
Robert described an instance when William and Kate requested to join Charles and Camilla’s security convoy departing from Windsor Castle. However, the two kept the older royals waiting.
Camilla reportedly insisted on leaving without them. This led to William and Kate seeing only the flashing lights of the departing motorbikes as they emerged.
Fans, upon learning about this incident, have expressed a range of opinions about Camilla and her relationship with William. One fan stated, “Camilla deserves all the disrespect Britain can dish out to her.”
Another commented, “She’s been his stepmother for a long time and sometimes parents and stepparents have to put you in your place royalty or not. Lol.”
A third fan questioned William’s respect for his mother, noting, “If that is the case what respect does William have for his Mom. Willam’s step Mom if you can call her that does not control, but she might be trying.”
More fans voiced strong opinions about Queen Camilla and her role within the royal family. One commented, “Not sure she knows what disrespectful means given her own behavior.”
Another warned, “Camilla should watch her step. She outranks William right now, but that isn’t going to be the case in a couple of years.”
One fan speculated, “Charlie has Camilla taken care of and she had their own home before they married. The mare will be put out to pasture when William takes over. Notice he doesn’t bow to her.”
A critic also added, “She is more than cheeky. The fact that she thinks she should/could even keep Prince William ‘in check’ is another case of her delusions of grandeur.”
One fan noted with humor, “lol! It sounds like Camilla doesn’t correct William for being disrespectful to his father; she corrects him, to remind him that SHE is the one in charge!” Another predicted, “Don’t worry. When he becomes King, William will get his revenge.”
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An online user also warned, “She better get ready for the reign of King William. She will be banished and rightfully [so]. Karma always prevails.”
A further comment stated, “Better watch it camy. Once chuck is gone you’re either gonna be back in the stable or rooming with Andrew. Take a lesson from sis.”
Another fan anticipated, “When Charles is gone, I think Camilla can look forward to a ‘grace & favor’ cottage — at John O’Groats. Or perhaps moving in with one of HER kids.” A more dramatic comment read, “Given half a chance? I believe William would kick her gown a flight of stairs.”
Lastly, another fan said, “Of course she tries. I would hope she’s smart enough to foresee the future where she has no say…for now she can persuade KC to do as she says. PW’s time will come where he will rule and change everything that will not benefit Camilla or PH.”
As developments unfolded within the royal family, William is said to have developed a stronger bond with Camilla. This closeness comes from him recognizing and valuing her unwavering commitment to her responsibilities.
Additionally, as per royal expert Hilary Fordwich, they have bonded over their spouses coping with cancer treatment.
On February 5, 2024, the royal family announced that Charles had recently undergone a hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement. Another health concern was discovered during this time as diagnostic tests revealed a form of cancer.
His Majesty began a regular treatment schedule and has been optimistic about his treatment, eager to resume his full public duties.
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Former Britain’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak assured the public that the cancer was caught early. As the public wished him a quick recovery, Harry also flew from the US to see his father and William.
A month later, on March 22, 2024, Kate disclosed her cancer diagnosis in a heartfelt video shared on social media. The diagnosis came after she underwent what was initially considered a successful major abdominal surgery in London earlier this year.
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This procedure was originally reported as a treatment for a non-cancerous condition. However, post-operative tests unexpectedly detected cancer, leading to the immediate start of preventative chemotherapy treatments for the Princess.
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As much as William and Camilla bonded over their spouse’s health ordeal, the pair’s relationship still seems to be on the mend.
In July 2024, The Prince of Wales removed Annabel Elliot, Camilla’s sister and interior designer, from the Duchy of Cornwall payroll following his assumption of the role.
Over the past 20 years, Annabel, 75, received several hundred thousand pounds for her services. She was initially hired by King Charles III, then Prince of Wales, in 2005 after his marriage to Camilla, her sister.
Annabel had worked on the Duchy’s holiday cottages and period properties across Cornwall, Wales, and the Isles of Scilly. Sources confirm that William’s decision to end her employment did not reflect on the quality of her work.
British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard noted that William and his father have not always agreed. She explained that they often clash due to differing opinions and leadership styles.
William is described as more methodical and decisive, with a tendency to take a firmer stance on issues compared to his father, who is portrayed as more emotional and guided by his heart.
Helena also reiterated that Camilla, as Charles’ support, ensures William remains aware of any potential disrespect toward his father when needed. Despite past tensions, William and Camilla now have a relatively good relationship, with mutual respect for each other’s strengths.
Helena emphasized that despite disagreements on certain protocols, the royal family recognizes the importance of supporting one another.
Hilary also commented that William has consistently been courteous towards Camilla, and their relationship has remained civil.
He noted that Camilla has been astute enough not to attempt to instruct William, which has contributed to their smooth interactions.Despite her public image, Hilary highlighted that Camilla has never been a particularly maternal figure. She was distant with her children and would not interfere in Charles’ relationship with his kids even though she reportedly informed him of their weaknesses.
