Queen Consort Camilla paid tribute on Sunday to Elizabeth II, a “
lonely woman
” who had to “
carve out her own role
” in a world ruled by men, evoking the memory of the “
big blue eyes ” and the “
unforgettable
” smile
of the late sovereign.
“
It must have been so difficult for her to be a lonely woman.
There were no female prime ministers or presidents.
She was the only one, so I think she carved out her own role
,” the wife of King Charles III said.
The new queen consort's first speech since the death of Elizabeth II on September 8 at the age of 96 is to be broadcast in full by the BBC this Sunday September 18, before a minute's silence observed by all. UK at 8 p.m. (9 p.m. in France).
“
She had these wonderful blue eyes which when she smiled lit up her whole face
,” Camilla, 75, recalled.
“
I will always remember his smile.
That smile is unforgettable.
»
Read also"My queen consort, my darling wife": Charles III's tribute to Camilla in his first king's speech
Long unloved by the British, who saw her as a homewrecker for having been Charles's mistress when he was married to Princess Diana, Camilla slowly earned her stripes, engaging on violence against women or the promotion of reading.
It was not until last February that the late Elizabeth II, who had not attended her civil marriage to Charles in 2005, gave her consent for her to become "
queen consort
" when the time came.
Camilla's popularity picked up.
Less than half of Britons last year wanted her to become queen.
According to a YouGov poll published on Tuesday, 53% of them now believe that she will do a good job, when 18% think the opposite.
SEE ALSO - "She cried with joy": Kate's tender gesture to little Elizabeth
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