Queen Camilla is known by some aides at Clarence House as "the lady boss", a close associate has revealed, shedding light on the secret to her success. The three-word nickname was disclosed by journalist and author Hilary Rose, who also noted that a friend says Camilla has succeeded "just by being herself".
Following Queen Elizabeth II's death on September 8, 2022, Camilla became Queen Consort as Charles ascended the throne. She was crowned alongside King Charles III on May 6, 2023, during the King's coronation.
Journey to the role
Hilary Rose, author of The Secret Diary of Queen Camilla, indicated that Camilla's journey to the role had not always been guaranteed, with the late Queen previously describing her as "that wicked woman". Nevertheless, according to Rose, the pair eventually discovered shared interests through their mutual passion for horses and dogs.
In 2022, the late Queen declared it her "sincerest wish" that Camilla be recognised as Queen Consort when Charles became king. During his first address as monarch, Charles III acknowledged his wife's "loving help" and her commitment to "loyal public service".
Stepping up duties
Since taking on her royal responsibilities, Camilla has played a prominent role in the Royal Family, particularly following King Charles's cancer diagnosis. In March 2024, it was announced that Princess Kate had also been diagnosed with cancer, prompting Prince William to dedicate additional time to caring for his wife and their three children.
Following Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's announcement in January 2020 that they were stepping back as working royals, and Princess Anne's hospitalisation in June 2024 after a horse-riding incident, Queen Camilla has "stepped up her duties with cheerful good humour and the energy of someone considerably younger", Ms Rose observed.
Writing in the Daily Mail, she noted: "She is known by some aides at Clarence House as 'the lady boss', and a friend says that she has succeeded 'just by being herself'. Camilla was not, they added, someone who could be pushed about, but nor was she liable to have a hissy fit."
"After the histrionics of Harry and Meghan and the disaster that is Prince Andrew, it came as a relief to have someone in the palace who kept calm and carried on."
Sense of duty
The Marchioness of Lansdowne also praised Camilla's sense of duty, telling The Sunday Times shortly before the coronation: "She is resilient, and she was brought up with this extraordinary sense of duty. It has stood her in very good stead."
As Tina Brown observed in her book The Palace Papers, if Camilla had a family motto it would be 'thou shalt not whine'.
On Saturday, September 28, 2024, Camilla accompanied Charles to Holyrood, where he delivered an address to MSPs during a ceremony commemorating the Scottish Parliament's 25th anniversary. He spoke of the "challenges we all share as inhabitants of a planet whose climate is changing dangerously, and whose biodiversity is being seriously depleted". The King, wearing a traditional kilt, also voiced his hope that the anniversary would mark "the beginning of the next chapter".
His comments came during an address in which he described Scotland as holding a "uniquely special place" in the affections of the Royal Family. Driven by her passion for encouraging people to read, Queen Camilla will join four remarkable people to share the stories of books that shaped their lives on The Book That Changed My Life, tonight on BBC Two at 9pm.
