Queen Camilla has reportedly never been afraid to remind stepchildren Prince William and Prince Harry – as well as their wives, Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle – that she and King Charles are “not going anywhere,” and remain firmly at the center of the British monarchy. And according to one royal biographer, that mindset comes from Camilla’s belief that the monarchy must always protect itself and survive – even if it means making difficult or unpopular decisions behind palace walls.
The Queen Consort is said to have a surprisingly “ruthless” side that she carefully keeps hidden from public view, although some royal insiders believe both William and Harry have already experienced it firsthand over the years. And now, ex-Prince Andrew‘s daughters Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice are reportedly feeling the effects of Camilla’s hardline approach too, as she seeks to scale back their roles in the monarchy amid his scandals. Keep reading for more info…
The Difference Between Dragging Through Your Day And Feeling Great On Your Feet? These Arch Support Insoles
Royal Author Sees Similarities Between Camilla And The Late Queen Mother
Royal author Christopher Wilson, who wrote A Greater Love – Charles and Camilla, reportedly told the Daily Mail that he sees strong similarities between Camilla and the late Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother when it comes to running the monarchy.
"[Camilla is] every bit as convincing as the old Queen Mother was when it comes to putting on a sweet smile and saying just the right thing to put people at their ease," he said. "But – again like the Queen Mum – there's a ruthless streak to Camilla which she takes care to keep hidden from view," he continued.
"Monarchy is about survival, and Camilla understands that," he went on. "She's read the history books and knows how, when the House of Windsor was brought to its knees in 1936 with the Abdication of King Edward VIII, she put fire in the belly of her reluctant husband."
Wilson went on to explain that King George VI was forced to take the throne, and claimed it was the Queen Mother who transformed him into a monarch capable of leading Britain through World War II alongside Winston Churchill. "King George needed her iron-clad courage, just as King Charles needs Camilla's today," he observed.
Queen Camilla Reportedly Wants A Smaller, More Controlled Monarchy
It's no secret that Camilla is keen to keep the monarchy streamlined, particularly when it comes to disgraced ex-Prince Andrew and his family. It is something insiders claim has been a priority for years, but even more so following his arrest earlier this year!
The Mail on Sunday previously claimed that the Queen Consort played a huge part in encouraging King Charles to take a tougher stance against his disgraced brother – it was previously reported that she and the Princess of Wales were "instrumental" in removing Andrew's titles – with some reports suggesting Andrew's ex-wife Sarah Ferguson and their daughters have also been affected too.
Wilson suggested that Camilla's hardline approach has involved attempting to reduce Andrew's daughters' influence within the royal hierarchy as the monarchy becomes increasingly slimmed down. One example that has been referenced is when Camilla's name was notably absent from Princess Eugenie's pregnancy announcement, which revealed she is expecting her third child with husband Jack Brooksbank.
Did Princess Beatrice And Princess Eugenie's Absence At The Buckingham Palace Garden Party Have Something To Do With Camilla?
"She once famously wielded her hefty hunting whip over the heads of photographers who came too close during her problem days before her marriage to King Charles," Wilson recalled, referencing an alleged incident before Camilla joined the royal family officially. "With Andrew, Fergie, Beatrice and Eugenie in her sights, looks like she'll be cracking it again," he added.
Tensions between Camilla and the York family are also rumored to go back many years, with the Queen Consort not attending Princess Eugenie's wedding to Jack Brooksbank or Princess Beatrice's wedding to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.
Earlier this month, both Eugenie and Beatrice were noticeably absent from the Buckingham Palace Garden party, something royal commentators have speculated may have something to do with the King's ongoing efforts to slim down the working monarchy, which is also something Prince William is keen on too. And many also believe that this is a strategy Camilla strongly supports behind the scenes too!
