Why Camilla must wait for 70th birthday tribute

PRINCESS Diana memorably complained about Camilla Parker Bowles’s affair with Prince Charles, saying ‘there were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded’.

Now, though, it is Diana who is overshadowing the Duchess of Cornwall from beyond the grave.

Camilla turns 70 next month, but an ITV programme to celebrate the milestone will not be broadcast until the autumn to avoid clashing with shows commemorating the 20th anniversary of Diana’s death in August.

‘The last thing we want is a Diana versus Camilla ratings battle,’ a source tells me. Princes William and Harry have already recorded interviews for a BBC tribute to their mother and are due to appear in a similar ITV programme.

Camilla might have expected her birthday to be marked with grand public celebrations, but a source told me in March there were no public events planned: ‘There will be a small event for the charities she’s involved with.’

The Camilla documentary will be produced for ITV by Spun Gold.

A Clarence House spokesman tells me: ‘ The scheduling is ITV’s decision.’