Queen Camilla's On-Screen Portrayals Ranked
Queen Camilla, who turns 79 on July 17, has been portrayed by a diverse range of actresses across television and film. From comedy legends to Oscar winners, each brought a unique interpretation to the role. Express.co.uk reviewed five performances and ranked them from worst to best.
5. Jean Smart in 'William & Catherine: A Royal Romance'
Jean Smart, known for her role in Hacks, played Camilla opposite Victor Garber's Charles in this 2011 Hallmark drama about Prince William and Catherine's relationship. Smart stated: "I really liked the way she was portrayed in the script, and a very sympathetic, likeable character, and I thought she deserved that." However, the production's Americanized take on British royalty undermined the performance, leaving even the comedy icon unable to salvage it.
4. Julia St. John in 'Princess in Love'
Julia St. John, star of Casualty and Brittas Empire, portrayed Camilla as the "other woman" in this 1996 TV movie about Princess Diana's affair with James Hewitt. The film holds no rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and reviews were largely negative. St. John did her best with weak material, but her Camilla lacked depth and impact.
3. Olivia Williams in 'The Crown' (Seasons 5 and 6)
Olivia Williams, from The Sixth Sense, took over the role for the final two seasons of The Crown. Her portrayal focused on Camilla during a period of intense public scrutiny, depicting her as angst-ridden and angry about her circumstances. Williams brought a nuanced, dramatic edge to the character.
2. Emerald Fennell in 'The Crown' (Seasons 3 and 4)
Emerald Fennell, who later won the Best Original Screenplay Oscar for Promising Young Woman, played a younger Camilla in seasons three and four of The Crown. She infused the role with vivacious energy, making Camilla seem like someone you'd enjoy sharing a gin and tonic with. Fennell's performance was lively and engaging.
1. Haydn Gwynne in 'The Windsors'
Haydn Gwynne portrayed a satirical version of Camilla in Channel 4's comedy series The Windsors. Her performance was described as "truly delicious," blending scheming social climber with comedic flair. Despite the parody, Gwynne brought reverence to the role, making Camilla a villain you'd still want to hang out with. A genius performance.
