WHY CHARLES WILL GET HIS WAY
WHAT CHARLES WANTS WHEN HE’S IN CHARGE
In royal circles, it is known as Project Queen Camilla, discussed only behind closed doors, with every move cloaked in secrecy. This may explain why it took some months before anyone noticed the biggest step towards the throne for the woman described by Princess Diana as “Charles’ lady”.
A statement issued before the heir to the throne married his long-term love and mistress back in 2005, explaining that it is “intended” that the Duchess of Cornwall “will be known as HRH The Princess Consort when the Prince of Wales accedes to the throne” has vanished from every royal website – even her own biography.
The official reason is that nobody any longer asks whether Camilla will become Queen when Charles becomes King. The truth is more complicated.
“Charles has always been determined that, when he becomes king, his wife will become Queen Consort,” explains one of his circle. “He really does adore her and believes that the public is learning to love her too.
“He won’t give up on his dream. He just hopes that, over time, it will be expected and accepted.”
The elephant in the room is, of course, his first wife, Diana. The
20th anniversary of her death in 2017 delivered a major knock to her former husband’s plans.
‘Charles has always been determined that when he becomes King, his wife will become Queen Consort’
“Camilla’s standing in public polls had been improving gradually but with a renewed focus on Diana, everyone remembered their Queen of Hearts,” adds the friend.
Opinion polls that had been showing around half the UK public would accept Camilla as Queen suddenly flipped round, with the most damning indicating that fewer than a fifth of her potential future subjects thought she was fit for the role.
“It came as a significant shock to the Prince of Wales,” says one courtier. “We had been discussing whether, to coincide with the duchess’ 70th birthday, she could become known as Princess of Wales. That went out of the window, along with a documentary designed to demonstrate the good work she has been doing for charity.”
Camilla herself, once dubbed “the laziest woman in Britain” because of her wish to avoid the spotlight, is torn between relief and distress on her husband’s behalf.
“Does she want to be Queen? No,” says a former royal butler who has observed this uneasy dynamic first-hand.
“But she loves him, so obviously she’s going to end up having to for him.”
Equally, he adds, “She knows there can be a fine line with what happened with Diana.”
This is where William and Harry enter the picture. Friends believe that Charles will only make the final push to have Camilla crowned Queen Consort if his sons approve.
Ten years ago, it seemed certain that they would, with Harry saying publicly, “She’s a wonderful woman, and she has made our father very, very happy, which is the most important thing. William and I love her to bits.”
But in recent months they have been silent, perhaps in deference to their mother’s memory. They do not, however, disapprove of Camilla and have watched as she has become a source of advice and support for both Kate and Meghan.
“Kate is incredibly grateful for her kindness,” says a family friend. “Camilla took her for lunch before her wedding and gave her a bracelet inscribed with her both their initials to mark the event – she has been a wonderful source of advice on how to navigate the royal minefield.”
Now Meghan – like Camilla, a divorcée, is benefitting. “She was thrilled to be invited to Clarence House and to have the opportunity to hear it like it is from someone who knows,” adds the friend.
“She’s finding getting used to the new life a little tough. Camilla’s help is a godsend.
“She especially wanted to know how formal she needs to be in public. She could hardly come from a more different background, so she needs to understand how to play the role of princess that she’s now taking on.”
Camilla’s status as confidante to the next generation of royal women is one way of rebuilding public affection. Die-hard royalists may never forgive her for playing a part in Diana’s unhappiness but, if her sons and their vulnerable wives are fans, they may grow to accept her.
“No one, except Prince Charles, has ever needed her in the royal family before,” says one of her friends.
“They’ve just accepted her. Now, at last, she feels wanted. It makes her very happy.”
As for Charles, he has never given up hope that, unlike his great-uncle Edward VII, who abdicated rather than reign without the woman he loved, his wife will take her place as Queen.
“Constitutionally, the choice is Charles’,” says commentator Richard Fitzwilliams. “She is expected to be queen, as every king has had a queen.”
The former butler puts it more succinctly. “I know Prince Charles really does want her to become queen,” he says. “I know the prince – and he usually gets what he wants!”