‘Camilla is a woman the world should celebrate’
As the Duchess of Cornwall reaches her milestone 75th birthday, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams gives an insight into her character
Today, royal fans across the country will raise a glass to toast Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, on her 75th birthday. Since her wedding to Prince Charles in 2005, any doubts over her suitability as future queen consort have faded, replaced by respect and admiration. But what do we know about the real Camilla?
“Camilla is a country woman at heart, who enjoys a more basic life than other royals, and is probably untidy!” says royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams. “What you see is what you get. She’s loyal, hard-working, practical and loves to laugh. She has nothing to hide.”
Despite her upper-class upbringing, there’s no snobby side to the duchess, who once insisted that should she “even vaguely look like getting uppity”, would be told by her friends, “Don’t be so bloody grand!”
Camilla’s down-to-earth approach is evident on royal engagements. She’s delighted in licking ice cream, necking shots of gin and sampling food on This Morning. And who can forget Charles’ 70th birthday, when Prince Harry was interrupted mid-speech by a bee in his face, and Camilla burst out laughing?
She shares her humour with her husband, memorably wielding a cake
knife at an Australian winery in 2015, prompting mock fear from Charles.
“Camilla is pure gold to Charles,” says Richard. “We’ve witnessed great love stories in our monarchy, from Victoria and Albert to the Queen and Prince Philip. This affair was one of the most controversial but they’re soulmates.
“They balance their work and relationship perfectly. If Charles wants to work, she’ll let him. And if Camilla wants some alone time, she’ll have it.”
In their youth, the pair exchanged notes, secret nicknames (Fred and Gladys) and late-night phone calls to profess their love, but back then their fledgling romance wasn’t to be. Today, they share sweet kisses in public and Camilla has been heard fondly calling her husband “darling”.
Following the death of Charles’ first wife, Diana, Princess of Wales, it took Britons some time to heal as it became apparent that his relationship with Camilla was non-negotiable. Even the Queen – who initially disapproved of Charles’ recoupling with ‘the other woman’ – now accepts and respects her.
At their wedding in Windsor, Her Majesty reportedly said, “They have overcome all kinds of obstacles, and I’m very proud to wish them well. My son is home and dry with the woman he loves.”
In February, she said, “When, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes king, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me. It is my sincere wish that Camilla will be known as queen consort as she continues her own loyal service.”
“Camilla’s doing a remarkable job as future queen consort and
Her Majesty must be tremendously grateful for that,” says Richard.
Away from royal duties, Camilla prefers a rural life. She spends time with her children and five grandchildren at Ray Mill House, her country retreat just 16 miles from the Highgrove House estate she shares with Charles.
“Ray Mill is a sanctuary where she can do exactly what she wants, when she likes,” explains Richard. “She’s a headstrong woman who has her own family, and Charles respects that.”
As well as painting and her terriers Beth and Bluebell, Camilla adores gardening, telling BBC Two’s Gardeners’ World, “You can go into a garden and completely lose yourself… there’s something very healing about gardens.”
Her garden at Ray Mill House features in her 75th birthday portrait, captured by the Duchess of Cambridge.
“Catherine taking Camilla’s photo shows mutual respect and affection,” says Richard. “The two women are at ease with one another. They’re both sporty, value their family and are pivotal to the future of the monarchy.”
Camilla’s children – Tom, 47, and
Laura, 44, from her marriage to Andrew Parker Bowles – are full of praise for her. Tom told Australia’s Channel 9 in 2015, “At an age where most people are thinking of retiring, she has up to 20 or 30 engagements a day. She’s brilliant with people.”
It’s a quality that’s served her well, having established relationships with Princes William and Harry, along with Kate and the Cambridge children, who endearingly call her “Gaga.”
After big celebrations at Highgrove for her 60th and 70th birthdays, her 75th will be low-key, with Camilla stating, “I shall spend it with my family and a few friends.”
As patron of the National Literacy Trust, she’s launched the Duchess’ Birthday Books Project, which will gift “mini libraries” to 75 schools in deprived areas. She’ll also appear in a documentary, Camilla’s Country Life, as she guest-edits the 125th issue of the magazine.
“Camilla the queen [consort] will be driven, determined and committed to the crown,” says Richard. “She is a woman the world should celebrate.”