"Camilla can be the pillar of Prince Charles, as Prince Philip was for the Queen", headlined the
Telegraph
, this Sunday, February 6.
Like the British daily, many media reacted to the surprise announcement made by Elizabeth II, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of her reign, to express, in turn, their skepticism or their enthusiasm.
The sovereign indeed revealed, on February 5, that Camilla Parker Bowles, Duchess of Cornwall, would one day become queen consort.
"When the time is right, and my son Charles becomes king, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support you have given me," the monarch continued.
If the second wife of Prince Charles has long had bad press, many English media are now bowing to his irresistible rise.
“The monarchy will prosper under the reign of Camilla”, even predicts the
Daily Mail
, this Monday, February 7.
The tabloid described the Queen's decision as "a wonderful and adorable gesture, but also a wise and reasoned one".
Succeeding Lady Diana was certainly "not easy" for the Duchess of Cornwall, insists the daily.
"But with her quiet dignity, humor and visible compassion, she rose to the challenge."
The Spectator
also welcomes the gradual return to grace of Camilla, after a long crossing of the desert.
“This once far-fetched prospect has become reality (…) thanks to this extraordinary intervention by the queen”, underlined Peter Hunt in an article entitled “How Camilla came out of the shadows”.
"We were three in this marriage"
Before continuing: “No sane person would have bet on such a result in November 1995, after Diana, Princess of Wales, declared in her infamous interview granted to “Panorama”: “There were three of us in this marriage. “In 1995, Lady Diana had indeed confirmed on English television that her husband was having an affair with Camilla Parker Bowles.
Which had not helped the latter to find a place in the hearts of the British.
"Aware of this antipathy - and of the polls that said people would not support Camilla's coronation - the Queen took her time," continues Peter Hunt.
So much so that at the time of the marriage between Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles, in 2005 - eight years after the death of Lady Diana - the royal palace announced that the Duchess would become princess consort, and not queen consort, after the coronation of her husband.
Two decades later, royal correspondent Richard Palmer calls Elizabeth II's announcement a "huge turnaround".
Operation reconquest
The game has not always been easy for Camilla from Cornwall. The latter therefore embarked on a real reconquest operation. First, with the British. “How Duchess Camilla won the hearts of the public,” headlined the
Telegraph
on February 6. Answer: “17 years of planning, polls and persuasion”. In the midst of the “Megxit” debacle, the Duchess also “contributed with discretion to what remains of royal stability”, estimates the newspaper.
“Camilla overcame the hostility of the public who, in the 1990s and 2000s, often blamed her for the failure of the marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana”, abounds Richard Palmer, not without recalling that the polls have “constantly demonstrated the opposition of the British to the idea of Camilla becoming queen consort.
The Duchess of Cornwall has yet managed to make a name for herself, including with the English media.
"Camilla was crafty," says Peter Hunt.
She has remained close to the media, and even closer to the
Daily Mail
.
In video, the intriguing wink of Camilla de Cornwall to her bodyguard
"I accept the Queen's verdict"
However, an editorial by journalist Dan Wootton, published in the same
Daily Mail,
does not exactly play in favor of Camilla.
"The idea of Camilla becoming queen makes me deeply uncomfortable", begins the New Zealander, who nevertheless declares "to accept the verdict of the queen, based on the idea that a royal status is deserved, du made of the good conduct and commitment" of the one who inherits it.
“Harry and Meghan should take example,” even suggests the reporter.
Conversely, writer Hugo Vickers describes the Queen's decision as a "masterstroke" in the columns of the
Daily Mail
.
"There is no doubt that Camilla has been an exemplary wife and a model member of the royal family since her marriage to Charles in 2005," he explains.
Another woman could have been vindictive, perhaps even vengeful towards those who have criticized her in the past.
Camilla didn't stoop to that."
Before adding: "The Queen is therefore making it clear that she recognizes the vital role that Camilla has played and will continue to play as a companion to Charles."
Fairy tales
The Sun
is, for its part, a bit less tender.
“How Camilla went from home wrecker to future queen,” reads the top of the page.
“After years of ridiculing each other in public, and haunted by the ghost of Diana, the royal couple have finally received the ultimate seal of approval, delivered by the Queen herself,” continues its author.
A “remarkable” comeback for Camilla, whom “a large part of the general public blamed for the end of a royal fairy tale.”
Camilla from Cornwall is now about to experience her own fairy tale.
The editorial staff advises you
"I know you will give him the same support as me": this gesture from Elizabeth II to Camilla
Mask up!
The funny greeting card of Prince Charles and Camilla of Cornwall
Princes Harry and William 'sick' of seeing their father fight for Camilla to become queen one day
