Lorna Hogg on the Queen Consort’s journey to popularity
Pomp, circumstance and spectacle were always to be expected for the Coronation ceremonial of King Charles. Yet one of the most astonishing aspects may well be – the fact that one of the participants has made it into her new role. So, just how has Camilla, once dubbed ‘the most hated woman in Britain’ and ‘the Rottweiler’ – taken her place in the long line of Britain’s Queens?
It has been a rocky journey. Prince Charles initially seemed the only person who thought there was the remotest chance of the ‘woman he loved’ being accepted as his partner, let alone his future Queen. So, when she first appeared in public by Prince Charles’s side, at his 1999 birthday party at the Ritz, a well tutored Camilla stayed out of the limelight – and said nothing.
She continued to ‘stay the course’ in silence, despite the thrown bread rolls, derision and even the cringe making embarrassment of the infamous leaked tapes of their private conversations. In 2005, one poll showed that 73per cent of the British public would not support her becoming Queen. No gambler would have placed odds on Camilla’s acceptance into The Family, let alone into the Monarchy. When in 2015, however, one survey asked about the acceptability of their marrying – the somewhat elderly Romeo and Juliet pulled in 49per cent . She had made astonishing progress in terms of acceptance.
Prince Harry revealed in his book, `Spare’, that both he and Prince William had begged their father not to marry Camilla. Slowly, however, she became a hard working part of the scene. Over the years, she remained supportive and discreet. Entry into the Royal family was gradual – initially, through charity work, causes and public engagements, and was later followed by titles and Orders. Then unexpectedly, and shortly before her death in 2022, Queen Elizabeth caused real surprise with her statement that it was her wish that Camilla should be Queen Consort, when King Charles took the throne. After observing years of Camilla’s support and work, The Boss had spoken – and public support for this role rose in a poll to 39per cent. On the other hand, just 20per cent felt that Camilla should become Queen.
Often viewed through the lens of the breakup of Charles first marriage, the new Queen still remains a largely unknown quantity to many in Britain and abroad. She has remained what the Queen Mother called an ‘absolutely oyster’ – discreetly saying little or nothing about her recent life. However as the old saying goes, ‘by their interests, you shall know them’ – and as the press has noted, the scope of Camilla’s interests speaks volumes.
They range from health, especially osteoporosis, literacy, help for rape, sexual abuse, domestic violence victims and the empowerment of women – through to wine, dogs and horses. There have been some surprises along the way. Royal ladies are not generally associated with thrifty shopping, or `lightly used’ acquisitions. Camilla, however practices re-purposing. She acquired some `nice pieces’ of furniture from charity shops, and two beloved companions, Beth and Bluebell, come from Battersea Dog’s Home. As Patron from 2016, she has remarked . ‘I cannot imagine my life, my home – or my sofa, without them.’
As Granny to five in her own family, she is an experienced reader of bedtime stories, and children’s literacy is important to her. She has observed that in books ‘you can escape into a different world, you can cry, you can laugh, you can learn’ However, showing up on the day and shaking hands is no longer enough – and out of the limelight, Camilla also follows through on her causes.
In 2014, on a visit to Belfast with then Prince Charles, Camilla met organisers of an early Big Lunch. Such events were intended to bring differing communities together. This one was the brainchild of two grandmothers from Newtownards and Short Strand districts, who lived on either side on the Peace Line in Belfast.
At a reception for supporters, Camilla helped to prepare the food and ice the cup cakes for the launch, and chatted to those involved. She tried out her Irish language skills – and fenced questions about her son, the renowned foodie and chef – Tom Parker Bowles. The eventual Big Lunch proved a huge success. When interviewed, one of the organisers said that a top priority was to write to the Duchess, who wanted to hear how it all went. In 2002, a volunteer at the Emmaus Community for the Homeless was astonished to receive an unexpected 75th birthday card from her. They had joked about their respective ages at a charity visit and lunch. In 2022, she was praised by M.P.s and legal experts for her work with survivors of domestic abuse – and later said in a speech that she would keep up with it, and not ‘give up mid-channel’.
On her wedding day in 2005, a nervous Camilla walked out of the Registry Office in Windsor after the Civil Ceremony, to be greeted by an insight into her future life. Facing the couple, across the street, was a pavement five deep with curious onlookers. Behind and above them, on the first floor of one of Windsor’s best known hotels, stood the photographers and press. One of them was the reporter whom the Prince had been heard to criticize, on an unknown TV microphone during a holiday press call. Security officers occupied the floor above, and on the roof – further armed security.
She followed the old motto –‘Never complain, never explain,’ and just ‘gets on with it.’ In 2000, she met the late Queen, who initially was not a supporter. Yet Her Majesty became impressed with Camilla’s work and sense of duty – which includes flying (something she hates) regularly on foreign engagements. In recent years, the late Queen has loaned Camilla some of the Royal Collection’s classic jewels for diplomatic and formal occasions. Then, in February 2022, shortly before her Platinum Jubilee, and just months before her death, the monarch made a statement referring to and praising her son’s work, and gave her blessing to a future title for Camilla – Queen Consort. Her Majesty had been won over. However, one poll suggested that just 20per cent felt she should become Queen – while 39per cent favoured Queen Consort.
At the age of 75 – she will prove a very modern Queen, having already popped up on several TV programmes. These range from the The Antiques Roadshow, to a twirl with the late Strictly Come Dancing host, Len Goodman. She also helped Mary Berry present the winner of the Platinum Jubilee Pudding search.
Her blend of formality and fun certainly helps. At one engagement, in a marquee filled with flower displays, allocated time slots had clearly gone awry. Camilla had met everyone, and even her skilled efforts at prolonging conversation eventually dried up. A despairing and embarrassed organiser finally nervously murmured – ‘a cup of tea, perhaps?’. ‘Oh, I would love a cup of tea..’ was the heartfelt response, as Camilla swiftly got to her feet. Accompanied by press laughter, timetables evaporated, and a group of equally enthusiastic gardeners discussed planting, en route to an unexpected and very informal cuppa.
On a visit to a small town in Northern Ireland, one enthusiastic supporter told Camilla that they both shared the same birthday. After a moment’s consideration, the Duchess observed with some thoughtfulness – ‘Well, it was a very good vintage, I think’. After a moment’s pause, whilst the crowd absorbed the reference – delighted women announced that in future, they were never going to refer to their age again, rather, to their vintage! However, as wine connisseurs well know – it takes several years of sampling to tell if an interesting new vintage will go on to long lasting acclaim and popularity ….
