The new queen consort Camilla managed to improve the attitude of the British towards herself

After the death of Elizabeth II, Britain had not only a new king, Charles III, but also a queen consort, Camilla. The once extremely unpopular mistress of Crown Prince Charles, now the wife of the head of the British monarchy, managed to turn public opinion in her favor.

In his first address as king, former Crown Prince Charles spoke of how much he relies on “my dear wife Camilla”. At 75, the new queen consort is older than her husband and at an age when most people have long since retired, enjoying the freedom from work and the joys of grandparents. Will she like the role? asks The Observer.

Perhaps the truth is that their romantic history, as well as their well-matched personalities, set them up for what once seemed impossible, to live a fulfilling life together, notes The Observer.

“It used to be unbelievable,” says Richard Fitzwilliams, former editor of the International Who’s Who and commentator on royal events. “But the way she copes is how the two of them cope with everything – that is, together. They are perfect for each other: they have the same sense of humor, common interests and the same friends.”

In his speech, Britain’s new king referred to his wife’s “loyal public service”, but some see it as a process of sanitation after a past tainted by her affair with the husband of Diana, arguably the world’s most popular princess.

Richard Fitzwilliams agrees that even 25 years after her death, Princess Diana may remain a trap for Camilla: “It’s a challenge when some kind of situation arises around Diana – for example, the next season of the Crown series will be devoted to her life, and this can be very useless.”

As Town & Country notes, the popularity of the Duchess of Cornwall (as Camilla was called when she became the wife of Prince Charles) has largely grown gradually since she married a member of the royal family in April 2005. The royal aides made an absolutely concerted effort to rehabilitate her image, but she also managed it on her own thanks to the way she got involved in the work and was friendly with everyone she met in public, including journalists, despite the harsh criticism she had previously received. from many publications.

A YouGov poll in May 2022 found that 47% of Britons viewed it positively, while 38% viewed it negatively.

But the past — even one that featured the glamorous Diana — has proved easier to leave behind than many predicted a quarter of a century ago.

Charles and Camilla emphasized her role in public life, in particular, they hired public relations guru Mark Bolland to work wonders. Cleverly staged media appearances have helped reshape Camilla’s image – most recently, she joined British food writer and television presenter Mary Berry on television to announce the winning recipe for a platinum pudding dedicated to the Queen.

Camilla undoubtedly has a strong and genuine reputation in the philanthropic field. She is closest to the disease that her mother suffered from, and the organization created to support victims of osteoporosis. Today, the charity has more than 60 employees and was renamed the Royal Society of Osteoporosis in 2019. CEO Craig Jones says the change came from patron Camille’s own idea, which she believes will give the charity more influence and credibility.

“Osteoporosis is a complex issue because it is surrounded by stereotypes and defeatism,” says Craig Jones. “People think breaking bones is an inevitable part of growing up. Camille knows it’s not.”

Both Craig Jones and Claire Peryton, CEO of the Helen and Douglas House children’s hospice in Oxford, of which Camille is also patron, say she is down to earth, humble and busy. “She knows about children’s hospices,” says Peryton. “She understands what she is talking about, and from time to time, families, horrified by meeting her, leave, saying they cannot believe how normal she seems.”

It is hoped, writes The Observer, that Camilla will be able to transfer these qualities into her new role as queen consort, which will ensure the support of the public as well as the new king.