How Camilla won our hearts
Try to see it from Camilla’s point of view. She first became involved with the Prince of Wales in 1971. That’s 43 years ago. For well over 30 of those years she was at best a shadowy figure whom Charles somehow failed to marry but who was considered in any case unsuitable by the Royal Family. At worst, she was vilified for her appearance, hissed at in public and blamed for wrecking the happiness of the late Diana, Princess of Wales. Even when, at last, she married the prince in April 2005, she was visibly quaking with nerves – if not terror.
Why would a woman endure all this and never once speak out or try to manipulate the press? There can only be one answer and it explains why, after such a long struggle, the British public has finally, and rightly, taken Camilla to their hearts. After all, we’ve come a long way from ‘Camillagate’ and the age of ‘there were three of us in this marriage’. This year, for the second time, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, attended the State Opening of Parliament and was seated, with Prince Charles, at the Queen’s right hand.
She was even wearing the Queen Mother’s tiara. (It should be noted that, rather surprisingly, the Queen Mother didn’t much like her: ‘Elbows on the table, Camilla?’ she remarked sharply when she finally agreed to meet her grandson’s mistress.)
During the 2012 Diamond Jubilee, she was also prominent, sitting at the Queen’s side in the carriage. Unquestionably, she has arrived. What’s more, it looks as if the final hurdle has been surmounted, too, with the latest YouGov poll showing that a majority of Britons now support her becoming Queen Consort, if her husband succeeds his mother.
So how has this remarkable but deserved transformation come about? Well, she has assumed her Royal role superbly well, managing to be unstuffy, warm and kindly while maintaining the dignity and distance of a Royal personage. I was astonished, when I published my book of royal anecdotes in 2006, Corgi And Bess, to receive a letter saying how much she had enjoyed the copy I had somewhat cheekily sent her.
And on a visit to St Albans Abbey at about the same time, Camilla spied a ladder in a corner and wished at once to climb it. Her lady in waiting was firm: ‘Not in those shoes,’ she said. As far back as 2003, hosting a tea at Clarence House for children suffering from cancer, her natural touch was apparent, too, when the Duchy Originals biscuits were not a great success with one guest. ‘Is it disgusting?’ Camilla asked. ‘Why don’t you put it back?’ And she did not flinch as the half-chewed item was returned to the plate.
Camilla is enthusiastic, and often keeps Charles waiting at the end of the line because she is so busy chatting. But, and this brings us near the heart of her success, she’s not in it for herself: she’s not benefiting. In fact, it’s rather the opposite – she’s the reluctant Royal, who does not seek the limelight, but gives all she’s got when she finds herself in it.
After recording her bit part in The Archers in February 2011, for example, she said that she was not at all looking forward to hearing her own performance when it was broadcast. This kind of modesty is so English. And we are rather fond of it.
But it’s not the whole story. Twice in 43 years she has been separated from Charles for long periods but always they have found each other again. In her down-to-earth, no-nonsense way, not a bit corny, she has endured years of vitriol and exposure and she has done all this for one reason alone – love. And that is why, despite some early reservations, we have come to love and admire her in our turn.
Corgi And Bess by Thomas Blaikie is published by Fourth Estate, priced £9.99.
Why would a woman endure all this and never once speak out or try to manipulate the press? There can only be one answer and it explains why, after such a long struggle, the British public has finally, and rightly, taken Camilla to their hearts. After all, we’ve come a long way from ‘Camillagate’ and the age of ‘there were three of us in this marriage’. This year, for the second time, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, attended the State Opening of Parliament and was seated, with Prince Charles, at the Queen’s right hand.
She was even wearing the Queen Mother’s tiara. (It should be noted that, rather surprisingly, the Queen Mother didn’t much like her: ‘Elbows on the table, Camilla?’ she remarked sharply when she finally agreed to meet her grandson’s mistress.)
During the 2012 Diamond Jubilee, she was also prominent, sitting at the Queen’s side in the carriage. Unquestionably, she has arrived. What’s more, it looks as if the final hurdle has been surmounted, too, with the latest YouGov poll showing that a majority of Britons now support her becoming Queen Consort, if her husband succeeds his mother.
So how has this remarkable but deserved transformation come about? Well, she has assumed her Royal role superbly well, managing to be unstuffy, warm and kindly while maintaining the dignity and distance of a Royal personage. I was astonished, when I published my book of royal anecdotes in 2006, Corgi And Bess, to receive a letter saying how much she had enjoyed the copy I had somewhat cheekily sent her.
And on a visit to St Albans Abbey at about the same time, Camilla spied a ladder in a corner and wished at once to climb it. Her lady in waiting was firm: ‘Not in those shoes,’ she said. As far back as 2003, hosting a tea at Clarence House for children suffering from cancer, her natural touch was apparent, too, when the Duchy Originals biscuits were not a great success with one guest. ‘Is it disgusting?’ Camilla asked. ‘Why don’t you put it back?’ And she did not flinch as the half-chewed item was returned to the plate.
Camilla is enthusiastic, and often keeps Charles waiting at the end of the line because she is so busy chatting. But, and this brings us near the heart of her success, she’s not in it for herself: she’s not benefiting. In fact, it’s rather the opposite – she’s the reluctant Royal, who does not seek the limelight, but gives all she’s got when she finds herself in it.
After recording her bit part in The Archers in February 2011, for example, she said that she was not at all looking forward to hearing her own performance when it was broadcast. This kind of modesty is so English. And we are rather fond of it.
But it’s not the whole story. Twice in 43 years she has been separated from Charles for long periods but always they have found each other again. In her down-to-earth, no-nonsense way, not a bit corny, she has endured years of vitriol and exposure and she has done all this for one reason alone – love. And that is why, despite some early reservations, we have come to love and admire her in our turn.
Corgi And Bess by Thomas Blaikie is published by Fourth Estate, priced £9.99.