Camilla's Reluctant Rise to Royalty: The Queen Who Never Wanted the Crown

Queen Camilla, once described as the woman who didn’t want the crown, has come a long way from her early days of resistance to royal life. The revelations about her reluctance to be queen were shared in Tom Quinn’s latest book, "Yes Ma’am: The Secret Life of Royal Servants," which dives deep into the lives of the House of Windsor through interviews with palace staff.

Quinn’s book claims that Camilla was vocal about her opposition to royal protocol, often telling her husband, King Charles, "Can’t we get away from all this protocol? It’s all bollocks." Charles, ever the traditionalist, reportedly insisted, "You’re going to do it for me, darling," despite his disdain for swearing.

From the beginning, Camilla seemed hesitant about the spotlight. As Quinn recounts, even in the 1970s when she and Charles first met, she expressed unease about the attention tied to being queen. "I don’t want to be queen because it’s too much focus, too much attention on me," she reportedly said. Yet Charles, steadfast in his devotion, refused to let her go.

Her royal journey wasn’t smooth sailing, especially with Prince William and Prince Harry’s alleged opposition to her role as stepmother and future queen consort. Quinn noted that the brothers nicknamed her "Lady Macbeth," "Cruella de Vil," and "The Witch of the West." Despite their attempts to dissuade their father from marrying her, Charles remained resolute.

Quinn also highlighted Charles' deep reliance on Camilla, comparing it to William's connection with his wife, Kate Middleton. "Charles relies on Camilla for stability and warmth — qualities he lacked during his childhood," Quinn shared. This unwavering bond seems to be the backbone of their enduring relationship.

Camilla’s transformation from "the other woman" to a well-liked royal figure is nothing short of remarkable. After marrying Charles in 2005, she became the Duchess of Cornwall, gradually winning over Britons with her down-to-earth demeanor. Her influence even softened Charles’ image, making him appear more approachable.

Queen Elizabeth II’s endorsement of Camilla as "Queen Consort" in 2022 marked a turning point in her royal acceptance. Although Camilla initially preferred the title "Princess Consort," her eventual crowning as "Queen Camilla" in 2023 solidified her place in British history.

However, Camilla’s journey hasn’t been without controversy. Prince Harry, in his memoir "Spare," accused her of leaking private conversations to the media to rehabilitate her image, calling her "dangerous" for forging connections within the British press. He even described her as sacrificing him on her "personal PR altar." Despite his grievances, Harry admitted to wanting both Charles and Camilla to find happiness.

Royal expert Christopher Andersen noted that Harry’s harsh criticism of Camilla in his memoir strained his relationship with Charles, who views attacks on Camilla as unforgivable. "No one disses Camilla in royal circles and gets away with it — not even a son of the king," Andersen remarked.

Camilla’s story is undeniably complex, blending romance, resilience, and controversy. From a reluctant royal to Queen Camilla, her journey showcases the transformative power of time and public perception.