Why Camilla wants a low-key 70th birthday
91-year-old mother or the celebrity appeal of the younger royals.
Charles is also said to be upset that he and Camilla have been marginalised by the Cambridges who spend a disproportionate amount of time with Kate’s Middleton clan.
The Queen, no doubt, had the future of the monarchy in mind when, in announcing Prince Philip’s retirement last May, her private secretary Sir Christopher Geidt urged the various royal households to “pull together and support the Queen more.”
Interestingly, Geidt was part of Kate’s entourage a week later when she made a solo visit to Luxembourg.
Meanwhile, Camilla copes with
Prince Charles threw a party to celebrate his wife’s birthday last night. life in the royal goldfish bowl by spending time with her own family.
Earlier this year she revealed she only survived the vilification of the press and public in the aftermath of Diana’s death with the help of those who love her.
“It was horrid,” she said. “It was a deeply unpleasant time and I wouldn’t want to put my worst enemy through it. I couldn’t have survived it without my family.”
Since then she has had, to her obvious delight, five grandchildren.
One of her main pleasures in life, she says, is “seeing my grandchildren when they are all playing together and happy – when I see their sweet faces, it gives me such joy”.
The grandchildren will play a major part in her celebrations.
The duchess said recently: “I think we will have a tea party. I will get them to bake a cake and we will have a singsong of Happy Birthday.”
To Camilla, that will be worth all the gun salutes, balcony appearances or walkabouts put together.