For decades, the relationship between Queen Elizabeth II and Camilla Parker Bowles remained one of the most intriguing royal mysteries. Camilla, now Queen Camilla, was once a highly controversial figure, primarily due to her long-standing affair with Charles while he was still married to Princess Diana.
But did Queen Elizabeth ever truly accept her, or did Camilla simply maneuver her way into the monarchy by holding onto Charles until he became king?
Many royal watchers believe that Camilla was never meant to be part of the royal family—but through careful persistence, patience, and strategic moves, she secured her place alongside Charles.
It’s no secret that Queen Elizabeth wasn’t a fan of Camilla in the early days. When Charles and Camilla first had a romantic connection in the early 1970s, the Queen reportedly did not approve of the match.
Camilla wasn’t considered a suitable royal bride—she lacked the aristocratic innocence and traditional image the royal family wanted for the future king’s wife.
Instead, Charles was pressured to marry someone more “appropriate”, leading to his doomed marriage with Princess Diana. But even after Charles married Diana, his love for Camilla never faded.
The two carried on their infamous affair, which ultimately led to Diana’s heartbreak and the scandalous collapse of the marriage.
The Queen, at the time, was reportedly furious about the public embarrassment the affair caused. According to some accounts, she even referred to Camilla as “that wicked woman”, refusing to have anything to do with her for years.
Despite being unwelcome in royal circles, Camilla never backed down. After Diana’s tragic death in 1997, the royal family faced immense pressure to repair its reputation.
Charles slowly reintroduced Camilla to the public, first as a “close companion” and later as his official partner.
Camilla played it smart—she never demanded attention, never rushed her position, and never publicly challenged the Queen’s authority. Instead, she waited, stayed in Charles’ life, and gradually earned acceptance.
- By 1999, she made her first public appearance with Charles, signaling that the royal family was beginning to tolerate her presence.
- In 2005, she and Charles finally married, though she was given the title Duchess of Cornwall instead of Princess of Wales, out of respect for Diana’s memory.
- Over time, Camilla carefully built a more likable public image, focusing on charity work and avoiding drama—earning cautious acceptance from royalists.
But the biggest victory came in 2022, when Queen Elizabeth shocked the world by publicly declaring that she wished for Camilla to be called "Queen Consort" when Charles became king.
This announcement led to huge speculation. Had the Queen truly changed her mind about Camilla? Or was this simply a practical decision to ensure a smooth transition of power for Charles?
Some believe that Elizabeth never fully warmed up to Camilla, but she recognized reality—Camilla had been with Charles for decades, and there was no way to erase her presence. By giving Camilla a royal title, the Queen wasn’t necessarily giving her a personal endorsement—she was just securing the monarchy’s stability.
Others argue that Elizabeth’s advanced age played a role. By 2022, she was in her 90s, preparing for the inevitable transition of power. Perhaps she simply chose to let Charles have what he wanted, rather than fight a losing battle.
Looking at Camilla’s journey—from royal mistress to Queen—many people believe she strategically positioned herself for this outcome. Unlike Diana, who was thrown into royal life too quickly, Camilla played the long game, keeping herself close to Charles until she was finally accepted.
Her patience, loyalty, and careful public relations strategy helped her overcome decades of negative press. While Diana was adored as “The People’s Princess,” Camilla slowly transformed her own narrative from being the “homewrecker” to the stable, supportive partner to the future king.
Was it true love? Was it calculated ambition? Perhaps it was a mix of both.
Even now, many people still refuse to accept Camilla as Queen. While she has won some public sympathy over the years, a significant portion of Diana’s loyal fans believe she should never have been given the title.
Queen Elizabeth’s final approval of Camilla remains one of the most debated decisions of her reign. Whether it was genuine acceptance or reluctant tolerance, one thing is certain: Camilla secured her place in the monarchy—whether people liked it or not.
