Death of Elizabeth II: Camilla pays tribute to a "lonely woman" who had to "carve out her own role"

The first intervention of the new queen consort since the death of Elizabeth II.

Camilla paid tribute this Sunday to Elizabeth II, "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 deceased 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.

“That smile is unforgettable”

The new queen consort's first speech since the death of Elizabeth II on September 8 at the age of 96 is due to be broadcast in full by the BBC this Sunday, before a minute's silence observed by the whole Kingdom. United at 8:00 p.m. (19:00 GMT).

“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.

»

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.

Read alsoCamilla, from hated woman to queen consort: "It's the ugly duckling who becomes a swan"

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.

The public can still gather until Monday morning in Westminster Hall, the oldest room in the British Parliament in front of the queen's coffin.

While hundreds of thousands of people followed one another in front of the remains of the monarch, only one incident was noted.

A man was charged with disturbing the public order after he left the line and approached the coffin on Friday, the Metropolitan Police said in a statement late Saturday.