Camilla of Cornwall’s new role in the British royal family

There is a gradual change taking place within the British royal family as Queen Elizabeth II withdraws from public engagements due to her advanced age and health.

His eldest son and heir to the monarchy, Charles, Prince of Wales, has been assuming a greater burden of official duties for several years, even abroad.

His wife, Camila is increasingly present, both during the restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic last year, and now, after the lifting of them.

Along with the royal couple, the eldest son of Charles of England from his first marriage to Princess Diana, William, and his wife, Kate, are also in the forefront.

Camila has managed to gain a good part of the media coverage that would have previously fallen on the 95-year-old Queen, whom the doctors advised to rest.

His presence at events – from the world premiere of the latest James Bond film to meeting world leaders at the G7 and UN climate summits – is a clear sign of change ahead.

Joe Little, editor of Majesty Magazine, told AFP that “Many people are now familiar with Camila and are getting to know her.”

REHABILITATION

Camila, 74, also known as the Duchess of Cornwall, will become a consort when Carlos, 72, takes the throne. At that time, 39-year-old William will rise through the line of succession and become the heir.

Just a few years ago, others were seen as the future of Britain’s most famous family: William, his younger brother Harry, and their respective wives Kate and Meghan. But plans drastically changed last year when Harry and Meghan moved to the United States, from where they criticized the family, and even accused it of racism.

The rise of Camila – who was once a hated figure for being “the other woman” in Carlos and Diana’s marriage – is remarkable. “His position has undoubtedly evolved and there has been an enormous and very long process of rehabilitation since Diana’s time.”explains royal historian Anna Whitelock to the Daily Express newspaper.

For her part, Little claims that Camila, like other royals, was forced to play a more public role due to the coronavirus pandemic when the world moved to the internet. She knew how to assume the role with aplomb and gained adherents, although in the eyes of some she can never be forgiven for her role in the collapse of the marriage of Carlos and Diana.

“There are a lot of Camila supporters,” Little says. “He is doing very well. He’s been a member of the royal family for 16 years, so he’s quite experienced in high-profile matters. He is very competent in it ”, abounds.

Since the death of Prince Philip, the Queen’s husband of 73 years, in April, Camila has been seen – and heard – more frequently at official royal engagements and charity events. This week he accompanied Carlos – a veteran environmentalist – to the UN COP26 summit in Glasgow, to urge world leaders to stop rampant climate change.

Last month, she and Carlos, who married in 2005, supported the Queen at the official opening of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh and the Welsh Assembly in Cardiff.

She was also present at the monarch’s first ceremonial engagement since her husband’s death: the opening of Parliament in May.

In the coming weeks, the couple will embark on the first real overseas tour since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, visiting Egypt, which will host COP27, and Jordan.

A MORE IMPORTANT ROLE?

Camilla’s appearances elsewhere reflect her range of interests, from promoting literacy through her popular Instagram book club to advocating for rescued animals.

She gave a speech, which was very well received, supporting a campaign that addresses violence against women, coinciding with the interest Catalina showed in this issue at the beginning of the year.

Camila has also made several television and radio appearances, speaking about her mother’s fight against osteoporosis and her love of gardening and horse breeding.

She could reportedly soon assume a larger role as one of the “councilors of state,” a group of high-ranking royals appointed to intervene in the event the Queen is unable to perform her official duties.

Speculation has increased because the other councilors alongside Carlos and William – Princes Andrew and Harry – are no longer active.

(with information from AFP)

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