After a stormy divorce with Lady Diana, Prince Charles (73) finally married his mistress, Camilla Parker Bowles, on April 9, 2005. A marriage that had unleashed the Anglo-Saxon press.
Complicated beginnings for the Duchess of Cornwall and future queen consort, who, through perseverance, finally managed to find her place within the royal family, and even in the hearts of the British.
"It hasn't always been easy," she told Vogue UK
on June 18,
discussing her marriage to Queen Elizabeth II's son.
So, to preserve their union, the latter imposed a rule on herself, that of “having a moment of our own during the day to drink a cup of tea”.
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While Prince Charles multiplies the events and official appearances, Camilla was delighted with the rare moments when she can take advantage of her husband.
What she prefers: going on vacation, and “reading books in different corners of the room”.
"It's very relaxing, because you know you don't have to make small talk," she continued.
Presence is enough.
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"Keep on living"
The one who is about to celebrate her 75th birthday on July 17, also returned to her beginnings as a wife, remembering having had to “be discreet” in the public sphere.
"I've been scrutinized for so long, you just have to find a way to live with it.
Nobody likes to be watched all the time, to be criticized…”, she added.
And to continue: “But I think that in the end, I kind of rise above all that and I continue.
You must continue to live”.
In video, the intriguing wink of Camilla Mountbatten-Windsor to her bodyguard
Queen's Support
Despite everything, the efforts of Camilla de Cornwall have been rewarded.
On February 6, Queen Elizabeth II made a touching statement to her daughter-in-law, on the occasion of her platinum jubilee.
Announcing her succession to the throne by her son, Prince Charles, the 96-year-old monarch said: "When, in due time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will bring him and his wife Camilla, the same support I was given;
and I sincerely hope that, when the time comes, Camilla will be known as the queen consort”.
A consecration for the one who took so long to be accepted.