The coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla on May 6th, 2023, was a grand affair that captivated the world’s attention. The event, which cost an estimated £120 million, was a lavish display of the monarchy’s wealth and power. However, not everyone was impressed.
According to a YouGov survey conducted just weeks before the big day, more than 50% of Britons agreed that the royals should have funded the coronation themselves. This sentiment was hardly helped by an investigation by The Guardian newspaper, which placed King Charles’s fortune at a staggering £1.8 billion (around $2.2 billion).
The total sum for the coronation was said to be double that of Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953. One main increase was the costs attributed to heightened security. The Metropolitan Police and British military carefully planned the coronation weekend to ensure the safety of all involved, with a reported record of 11,500 police working on the event as part of British history’s most extensive security operation.
While King Charles and Queen Camilla took center stage, the ongoing feud with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle cast a dark shadow over the coronation. Meghan decided not to attend the significant celebration at Westminster Abbey, while Prince Harry kept his distance from his brother and sister-in-law, Kate Middleton.
Queen Camilla and Kate Middleton were just two family members who received hefty criticism from Harry and Meghan. Harry called Camilla his “wicked stepmother” as he recalled his feelings about her becoming a larger part of the family when his mother, Princess Diana, died.
Moreover, in his memoir “Spare,” Harry gave details on private text messages between his wife, Meghan, and Kate Middleton, among other things. This only served to deepen the rift within the royal family.
As Kate Middleton undergoes cancer treatment and King Charles returns to royal duty, Queen Camilla has taken on a great responsibility for the royal family to uphold their standards of serving the nation.
While Queen Camilla is known not to love life in the spotlight, she has put all her energy towards serving The Crown. For example, she doesn’t like giving speeches, but as King Charles isn’t there at the moment, she does it.
Royal expert Angela Levin said earlier this year that Camilla has left her comfort zone and done all her engagements – which King Charles typically was scheduled to do – with “grace.” Last week, Camilla was the sole representative of the royal family, attending the Easter service at Worchester Cathedral while Charles continued his cancer treatment.
The coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla was a lavish affair that divided public opinion. While some celebrated the historical event, others questioned the need for such an extravagant display of wealth. Amidst the ongoing feud with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and the health challenges faced by King Charles and Kate Middleton, Queen Camilla has emerged as a pillar of strength, proving herself to be a “remarkable asset” to the royal family.
In the ever-evolving tapestry of the British Royal Family, few stories captivate the public imagination quite like the remarkable transformation of Camilla, the Queen Consort. Once derided as the “most hated woman in Britain,” Camilla has since emerged as a pillar of strength and support, earning the admiration of both the royal household and the public.
As the dust of past scandals settled, Camilla’s quiet strength and resilience began to shine through. “Everywhere she goes, she has got a cheery smile on and a happy face,” remarked royal expert Charles Rae. “She says the right things. She has proved to be a remarkable asset to the Royal Family.”
One of Camilla’s most impactful contributions has been her mentorship of Kate Middleton, the now-Princess of Wales. Before Kate’s marriage to Prince William, Camilla took her under her wing, imparting invaluable advice and guidance on navigating the complexities of royal life. “Camilla had confided to Kate the secret of hanging on to a busy prince: fit your timetable – well, basically your whole life – around his,” explained biographer Robert Lacey.
Despite initial trepidation, Kate and Camilla have forged an enduring bond, becoming trusted allies and confidantes within the royal family. “They’re very good in the background at supporting the leading man, and they’re sort of quite stoical,” noted GB News host Isabel Webster. “I can see why actually both of them have chosen those leading ladies.”
Camilla’s keen instinct for timing and her unwavering support for her husband, King Charles, have also been instrumental in her rise to prominence. “She’s got this very strong instinct of knowing what is right at the right moment,” said royal expert and biographer Angela Levin. “The fact that she could take all the nastiness when they separated from Diana, that now she knows exactly what King Charles needs.”
As the two most influential women in the royal sphere, Camilla and Kate have emerged as a dynamic duo, supporting their husbands and the monarchy with grace, resilience, and a shared commitment to duty. Their partnership is a testament to the power of women supporting one another, and a shining example of how even the most daunting challenges can be overcome with determination and compassion.
Camilla’s remarkable transformation from the “most hated woman in Britain” to a beloved and respected member of the Royal Family is a testament to the power of resilience, compassion, and unwavering dedication. Her journey serves as an inspiration to us all, reminding us that even the most formidable obstacles can be overcome with courage, grace, and a steadfast commitment to our beliefs and values.
