Camilla Parker-Bowles, Duchess of Cornwall and wife of Prince Charles, has just become, on the death of her mother-in-law Elizabeth II, the new Queen of England... consort. What do we know about this woman of character whose turbulent history has long led to a sulphurous reputation?

She who has long refused to comply with the protocol will now occupy a leading role. Camilla Parker-Bowles, Duchess of Cornwall, turns 75 on July 17, 2022. The age of maturity? Of its rocky beginnings with the British family until his relations have calmed down today thanks to his role of grandmother and his many charitable commitments... discover the secrets of the wife of Charles of Galles .

Will Camilla become the new queen?

This was THE big debate: Camilla is only the second wife of Charles , and many Britons attached to Diana were viscerally opposed to her becoming queen. In 2005, Prince Charles's cabinet made a concession to public opinion by specifying that she would be known as a 'princess consort' upon Charles' accession to the throne. But time does its work, the duchess proves herself and in June 2022, on the occasion of her platinum jubilee, the reine Elisabeth II decides by declaring that she will be 'queen consort'. Camilla is therefore the new queen... except for one suffix, which reminds us that she is not in a reigning position but simply the wife of the current king.

The latest news about Camilla

Camilla Parker-Bowles: her meeting with Prince Charles

Camilla Parker-Bowles sees her destiny change when she met Prince Charles in 1970 at a polo match . They begin a passionate idyll... which does not last. The son of Elizabeth II has other commitments, notably in the Royal Navy. Then she marries the major Andrew Parker-Bowles in 1973... much to the dismay of Prince Charles, whose heart burns with love for her.

Camilla Parker-Bowles 'completely undressed'

According to Tom Quinn's book, The Secret Royals : Spying and the Crown , ' Camilla had an eccentric fondness for doing her naked chores '. The author even told a crazy anecdote: ' One day James Hewitt (Lady Diana's lover who once worked for Andrew Parker-Bowles, editor's note) peeked to see her completely undressed '.

Camilla Parker-Bowles: her affectionate nickname

Desperately in love with each other, Charles and Camilla continue to date in secret and even give each other affectionate nicknames, Fred et Gladys . Shortly after his marriage to Lady Di, the princess of wales discovers in her young husband's belongings a bracelet... on which two letters are engraved: G. and F, the initials of Gladys and Fred. An electric shock for Lady Di who then realizes that she is not the queen of her husband's heart.

Camilla Parker-Bowles: Wedding in Windsor

Almost ten years after the tragic death of Lady Di, Elisabeth II accepts that her son marries Camilla Parker-Bowles, yet divorced and little loved by the British. They married as Mayor of Windsor in 2005.

'I was scrutinized for so long'...How Camilla managed to fit in

In the columns of the English edition of Vogue , Camilla Parker-Bowles recently reflected on her marriage in 2005 to the son of Queen Elizabeth II.

The one who had to fight for years to be accepted admits it willingly, she had to 'be discreet' for a long time . “I was scrutinized for so long, that you just have to find a way to live with it. Nobody likes to be watched all the time, to be criticized (…) But I think that, in the end, I got over it and I 'I came out of it great' , she adds transparently.

Before continuing : 'It hasn't always been easy...' . Yet this marriage endures and it may be partly thanks to a rule imposed by Camilla: 'Have a moment of our own during the day to drink a cup of tea' .

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by British Vogue (@britishvogue)

How Camilla Parker Bowles Comes to Life as a '75-Year-Old Woman'

At an age when many have already retired, Camilla Parker Bowles seems unfazed by the queen consort role that awaits her . No more than his age. 'I let birthdays come and go. Well, I wouldn't say no to a little step back in time' , she laughs in the July edition of Vogue UK . 'At 75 you can no longer do everything on your own (…). You did what you had to do. I think you have to accept who you are. You are a 75-year-old woman' , she continues wisely.

And she readily admits: she loves being a grandmother . In addition to the grandchildren of the Cambridge and Sussex clans, she has five grandchildren from her first marriage to officer Andrew Parker Bowles. 'You know what's great about being a grandma is that you can spoil them occasionally, give them more things than their parents forbid them to have' , she told journalist Giles Hattersley.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by British Vogue (@britishvogue)

Camilla Parker-Bowles: her feminist commitment

Another very important activity for the Duchess of Cornwall: its charitable commitments, in particular with associations that fight against violence against women . Godmother of the SaveLives association for several years already, the one who affirm loud and clear to be feminist spoke at length about the importance of this fight in her life: 'I think we all know someone this has happened to. I've heard this too many times from friends who know friends, and then I thought I'd take a closer look to see if it happened. there was no structure that I could help' .

And to the final question 'What does the Duchess do when she finds herself alone, without her husband, her commitments and her grandchildren?' Camilla readily replies that she loves 'gardening, taking a walk or sitting down to read a book' . Mass has been said !

Source journaldesfemmes.fr