Queen Camilla and King Charles had very different views on her taking the title of queen, according to a royal expert.
Royal author Tom Quinn revealed that one staff member recalled a heated discussion between the couple about royal titles. According to the insider, Camilla was initially uncomfortable with the idea of being queen and would often express her frustration, saying to Charles, “Can’t we get away from all this protocol? It’s all b******s.”
Charles, who is known to dislike strong language, would reportedly respond with “You’re doing it for me, darling,” emphasizing his desire for her to take on the role.
Despite coming from an aristocratic background, Queen Camilla has always been known for her down-to-earth nature and sense of humor. Royal biographer Penny Junor described her as having a “twinkle in her eye” and often reducing Charles to laughter with her quick wit.
Camilla never aspired to a high-profile career or global recognition. According to Junor’s biography, she simply wanted “to be happily married to an upper-class man and live a sociable life in the country with horses, dogs, children, and someone to look after them all and do the hard graft.”
Her relationship with Charles was built on genuine friendship and honesty, as she never treated him with excessive deference. If Charles was ever being selfish or thoughtless, Camilla had no problem calling him out on it, which strengthened their bond.
Charles first met Camilla at a polo match, where he was instantly drawn to her. According to Junor, Charles loved that she “smiled with her eyes as well as her mouth” and shared his sense of humor. Unlike others in royal circles, she was not intimidated by him, which made her stand out.
However, not everyone in the royal family immediately accepted Camilla. Both Prince William and Prince Harry took a long time to warm up to their stepmother, even reportedly giving her unkind nicknames in the early years.
Princess Kate, on the other hand, enjoys teasing William about Camilla’s royal ancestry. She often reminds him that Queen Camilla is a descendant of Alice Keppel, the favorite mistress of King Edward VII—a monarch that William is said to increasingly resemble.
The relationship between Camilla and the royal family has evolved over time, but her journey to becoming queen was not without its challenges. Buckingham Palace has been contacted for comment.
