Queen Camilla has ignited significant controversy and public outcry following reports that she took action against Prince William and Princess Kate Middleton.
The situation has led to strong reactions, with many on social media voicing their displeasure, viewing Camilla’s actions as unjustified and disrespectful.
Queen Camilla first entered Prince William’s life during her long-term relationship with his father, King Charles III, even as Charles was married to Princess Diana.
After Diana’s tragic death and years of public scrutiny, Camilla and Charles married in 2005, bringing her closer to both William and Prince Harry.
Camilla and Charles had a strong connection when they first met in the summer of 1970, despite her being older than him by 16 months.
Penny Junor, author of The Duchess: Camilla Parker Bowles and the Love Affair That Rocked the Crown, noted that Charles was drawn to Camilla’s personality and shared sense of humor.
The pair had a blissful relationship for some time, but obstacles eventually caused them to part ways. Charles’ great-uncle, Lord Mountbatten, disapproved of Camilla, believing she was not a suitable match for Charles.
Moreover, Camilla was in love with Army officer Andrew Parker Bowles.
Despite Charles’ efforts to prevent it, Camilla married Andrew Parker Bowles on July 4, 1973. They had two children, and Camilla settled into life as a country wife and mother.
However, Camilla and Charles remained close friends and began an affair in the late 1970s. Their relationship faced a major scandal when Andrew Morton’s book Diana, Her True Story was published in 1992, revealing intimate details about their affair.
Camilla faced intense media scrutiny, hate mail, and unflattering comparisons to Princess Diana. The 1993 “tampongate” incident, where private conversations between Charles and Camilla were leaked, further humiliated her.
Despite the public backlash, Camilla stayed by Charles’ side because he deeply relied on and adored her. They eventually married on April 9, 2005, eight years after Diana’s death.
In his memoir Spare, Prince Harry revealed that after their mother’s death in 1997, both he and William begged their father not to marry Camilla.
While the brothers attended the wedding, Queen Elizabeth II did not. She believed it was inappropriate for her to attend, given her role as head of the Church of England and the fact that both Charles and Camilla were divorced.
As time went on, it was believed that Camilla had a positive influence on Charles.
Penny Junor wrote that Charles was happier with Camilla than he had ever been, as she provided him with the support he needed throughout his life.
However, the relationship between Camilla and William and Harry was not as strong.
Christopher Andersen, royal expert and author of The King: The Life of Charles III, revealed that the brothers harbored resentment toward Camilla. They reluctantly agreed to their father’s marriage to her, on the condition that she would not become queen.
The brothers felt betrayed when Charles went back on his promise, as they believed the title of queen should have belonged to Diana.
William’s relationship with Camilla was strained, especially because he had witnessed his parents’ messy, public breakup. Camilla herself was reportedly very nervous about meeting William, knowing the impact her relationship with Charles had on his marriage to Diana.
Public opinion was also against Camilla for years, which took a toll on her. However, she eventually rose above the scrutiny and moved forward, focusing on her royal duties and building a relationship with her new family.
Although Camilla was determined to fulfill her royal responsibilities, her relationship with William was not as solid as her relationship with Charles.
Over time, Charles began to rely more on William for support, and their relationship improved, thanks in part to the efforts of the Princess of Wales.
In his book Catherine, The Princess of Wales: The Biography, Robert Jobson describes an incident where Camilla insisted on leaving without William and Kate when they were late for a security convoy.
This incident sparked a range of opinions from fans, with some criticizing Camilla and others defending her actions.
As the situation within the royal family evolved, it is said that William and Camilla have grown closer, particularly as they have supported each other through difficult times, such as their spouses’ battles with cancer.
The royal family announced on February 5, 2024, that King Charles had undergone a hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement and had been diagnosed with a form of cancer.
Despite this, His Majesty remains optimistic about his treatment and is eager to resume his full public duties.