Queen Camilla
Nov. 23 2021, Published 12:49 p.m. ET
Last week I told you how the Duchess of Cornwall was behind the ousting of Prince Charles' favorite aide Michael Fawcett as he had become a “toxic” presence.
Now I’m hearing there are plenty more tell-tale signs that Camilla is gearing up to become queen when Charles finally ascends the throne.
She will play a leading part in celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee next year, hosting a “big lunch” of street parties.
And to get in top shape for her future roles, Camilla has a new hairdresser (Geraldine Mancini of Fulham, West London) and has started wearing a Fitbit exercise watch.
Once called “that wicked woman” by the Queen, the 74-year-old has slowly won over the British public with her easy charm and warm wit.
And with Harry and Meghan setting up a rival court in California, Prince Andrew out in the cold and the Queen suffering health problems, the royals need a stabilizing force.
I was fascinated to read a diary piece tucked away that respected royal author Angela Levin has been spotted on several occasions at Camilla’s London home Clarence House, and on royal jobs with her.
The word is that Camilla is cooperating with a new biography about her by Angela and maybe wants to “tell her truth,” to use an Oprah Winfrey-ism.
The aim would be to “soften up” the people for Camilla becoming Queen, even winning over die-hard Diana fans.
Camilla’s massive advantage is that she had a life outside being a royal until she was 57.
She had a previous marriage, children, grandchildren and years out of the limelight, even though she became Charles' mistress.
Royal author Penny Junor says: “She understands the difference between the real world and the royal world and she knows how strange the royal family can be.
“She is a natural woman with a solid background who is comfortable in her own skin.
“She is a normal woman who, because of her relationship with Charles, has found herself in an abnormal situation.”
At the recent Remembrance Day Service, Camilla was happy to stand at the side of the Duchess of Cambridge, not in the middle hogging the limelight.
On her tour with Charles of Jordan and Egypt, she charmed her hosts, and as always, interacted with the following press corps, telling them she and Charles “still have a snap in our celery.”
Although Junor thinks Camilla will “dread” being in the spotlight when Charles becomes king, she is nevertheless preparing for her role.
“My feeling is that she will be Queen rather than Princess consort, because Charles is so proud of her and grateful to her and loves her so much that he would find it difficult to give her a lesser title.
“It would be demeaning.”
Fascinating times ahead!
