NONE of the guests at the wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles could have imagined that nearly 20 years later Britain would hail Queen Camilla as the vital rock supporting a sick king.
Ever since it emerged he had gone into hospital for checks and later that he would be treated for cancer, she has been the anchor keeping the King in good spirits and reassuring the nation the monarchy remains solid and stable.
Remarkably, since the Coronation last May of Charles and Camilla, the country’s deep suspicions of the new Queen have evaporated.
The newspaper pictures of the King and Queen heading to Sandringham last Tuesday, both smiling and waving, confirmed that their loving relationship would help sustain 75-year-old Charles during his treatment in the coming weeks.
That image is filled with irony.
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For years Camilla, 76, was reviled as the marriage breaker who humiliated Princess Diana, distraught about her husband’s adultery.
That she has become the hero after his illness was announced has surprised many.
It would certainly have shocked Queen Elizabeth.
For years, the late and beloved Queen refused to meet her son’s mistress.
She banned Camilla from Buckingham Palace and having her name mentioned in her presence.
Gradually, Queen Elizabeth’s hostility diminished, especially after Charles’s divorce from Diana.
She grew to appreciate Camilla’s strengths, not least because she acknowledged Charles was deeply in love with a true friend who uniquely made him happy.
Although the late Queen eventually relented and approved of their marriage at Windsor in April 2005, she delayed her appearance at the reception to watch a Grand National replay with Andrew Parker Bowles, Camilla’s ex-husband.
Like other insiders, she knew Camilla had chosen Andrew over Charles.
After their marriage broke down, Charles was thrilled that he could finally forge a close relationship with the love of his life.
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Thanks to him, Camilla bought a house near his in Highgrove and, with his approval, his staff provided food and support for Camilla as she battled public hostility.
For many Brits, Diana was the victim of outrageous treatment by Charles and Camilla.
Although the story of Camilla being pelted with bread rolls outside a supermarket is denied, many British women would have approved, especially after a tape recording emerged of an intimate and embarrassing conversation between Charles and Camilla.
If history had not been so messy — and Charles had not married Diana while deeply in love with Camilla — Queen Elizabeth and Queen Camilla would have been natural soulmates.
Both country lovers, horse riders and devotees of the turf, they shared an earthy common sense.
Camilla understands the very essence of British values
“Get on with it,” is the philosophy for survival embraced by staunch British women like Camilla.
As solid, no-nonsense country lovers, both enjoyed nothing more than putting on a Barbour and boots to ride across the countryside or tramp in all weathers through the mud in wellies with their dogs.
With deep roots, Camilla understands the very essence of British values.
Like the late Queen, she appreciates the importance of the monarchy to sustain the very best of a thousand years of history.
Intolerant of fools, Camilla, like Queen Elizabeth, enjoys close friendships.
CHARLES' REASSURANCE
The image of Camilla standing by a roaring fire, holding a gin and tonic and pulling on a cigarette, embellishes the reality of a strong, family woman giving Charles the comfort, confidence and reassurance he desperately needs.
“Jollying him along,” was the essence of Camilla’s attraction to the young prince. In turn, it was Charles who started in 1996 to orchestrate Camilla’s rehabilitation.
Palace officials, at their peril, under-estimated Charles’s resolve to transform Camilla’s reputation and eventually make her his Queen.
Even his mother’s wish that Camilla should be known as “Queen Consort” was ignored by Charles.
The antagonism towards Camilla was evident even after their Coronation.
As the couple walked towards Westminster Abbey’s exit, Charles’s family bowed and curtsied to him but TV pictures show no one moved a muscle for Camilla.
Yet that suspicion has vanished. Everyone appreciates Camilla’s dedication to serve her country as the Queen.
Despite her own age and illnesses, she has performed outstandingly.
Most important of all, she gives firm, sympathetic and credible advice to the King.
Always standing in the spotlight is a challenge for anyone.
Unlike an ambitious politician, Charles is not a narcissist seeking attention.
Born into the role, he has struggled to survive his unusual childhood and critics.
With hindsight, we can appreciate his bold attempts to improve Britain.
His opinions on architecture, farming, education, music and especially the environment seem particularly pertinent.
Intelligent, forever curious, brave and hard working, Charles’s apparent self-confidence is a shield.
In essence, he is a sensitive man always in need of loyal reassurance.
That has been Camilla’s strength.
Besieged by so much, Charles relies on Camilla to rid him of the doubts raging inside his head.
SELF-CONFIDENCE
Although a spiritual man who appears calm in the face of current adversity, it is no exaggeration to say fate has been cruel to Charles, who faces an uncertain future after waiting so long to be King.
Dubbed a caretaker monarch and crowned less than a year ago, his meaningful comment to a friend after the Queen’s death — “I know what to do” — seems now to be a challenge to his destiny.
By nature, he hates confrontation but his steely reaction to recent challenges bears the imprint of Camilla’s advice.
Especially his reaction to the Sussexes’ outrageous and poisonous lies directed at himself, Camilla, William and Kate.
Instinctively, he might have sought reconciliation despite the venom concocted in California.
Spewed out in Oprah Winfrey, the Netflix series, the Apple interviews and finally Harry’s memoir Spare and Omid Scobie’s recent fabrication, Meghan’s and Harry’s relentless campaign of hatred has caused enormous damage to Britain and the monarchy’s reputation.
Prince Harry has been shown the door as fast as possible
Those who predicted that the King’s illness would be a chance for reconciliation did not understand Camilla’s strength.
Since Harry described her as “dangerous” and a “villain” in his book, she was taking no prisoners.
Harry was to be shown the door as fast as possible.
For certain, Camilla refused to greet Harry.
Stiffened by Camilla’s resolve, Charles had already expelled Harry from Frogmore Cottage in Windsor Park.
Last Tuesday, the King humiliated the Prince after his midweek dash from LA to London.
Instead of reconciliation, Charles gave his son just over 30 minutes at Clarence House. Harry was exposed as friendless in his country.
Forced, it appears, to sleep in a hotel, he scurried back to the US.
At Sandringham, the King, with Camilla’s support, is facing the trial of his life.
The country wishes him well, and is thankful his best friend, his admired wife and our Queen will give him the peace of mind necessary in the next weeks.
- Tom Bower is author of ‘Rebel King: The Making of a Monarch
