Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, Part II

[Constantinople]

It is not so much that I have an obsessive hatred for her.  It is what happens when I think about her being the consort of the head of state of my country that brings on really nasty reactions.  I think that if she had been his first wife and had weathered a lot of tribulations with Prince Charles, then I would feel differently.  Basically, I feel the same way that the Queen Mother felt towards Wallace Simpson and as she is going to be someone who my tax dollars are paying for. It is one thing to have a government that manipulated an election but that government will become unelected in a few years.  In the case of Camilla, she will be there until Charles dies.  And I find that repulsive.

[Lindelle]

But you are NOT a member of the Royal Family, even though you ALWAYS sound as if you'd like to be.
You think you know too much!

[Kalafrana]

Robert

I agree with you. As it happens, I rather like Camilla. I've never met anyone who actually knows her well (though I've shaken hands with her),so have to go on what appears in the press. I think most of the hostility towards her comes from the Diana faction.

Ann

[Grace]

I disagree.  I know I've voiced it before, but there are more than 'Diana fans' dismayed that Charles chose to bring his mistress to the altar.  Many don't want Camilla as Queen because of the frankly dishonourable way she came there in the first place and would probably feel this way whoever he'd been married to firstly!  Most of those against Charles feel he's not worthy because he hasn't put duty first.

I don't think what's in dispute here is whether Camilla is a 'nice' person or not.  I'm sure she is very likeable.  She certainly comes across that way!  But is that in itself good enough to be a Queen?  No way!  

As to Commonwealth countries like Canada and Australia, I think they will become republics once the Queen dies and I think Charles' second marriage will not cause but will definitely impact on those decisions.  Just my view.

[ashdean]

Robert

I agree with you. As it happens, I rather like Camilla. I've never met anyone who actually knows her well (though I've shaken hands with her),so have to go on what appears in the press. I think most of the hostility towards her comes from the Diana faction.

Ann

I rather like her too....After all...she makes Charles happy...and WE ALL are entitled to any happiness we can.

[Constantinople]

I sound as if I would like to be a member of the royal family? What rot.  It is such a public role that it would be uncomfortable in the extreme.
And Lindelle, I never comment on your intelligence level. To make my position clear to you, I resent Camilla because she sullies the positon she craves to be in, consort of a monarch without adding any mitigating factors.

[Margot]

Robert

I agree with you. As it happens, I rather like Camilla. I've never met anyone who actually knows her well (though I've shaken hands with her),so have to go on what appears in the press. I think most of the hostility towards her comes from the Diana faction.

Ann

I rather like her too....After all...she makes Charles happy...and WE ALL are entitled to any happiness we can.

Well said!!!!

Better a happy and contented heir then a miserable, maudlin King! Camilla is his wife lump it or leave it! I for one am quite happy to take it ta' very much!!!!!

[Constantinople]

During the visit of the Queen to Canada the size of the crowds are a huge contrast to those who came out to see Prlince Charles and Camilla.  It is clear that most Canadians have a huge respect for Queen Elizabeth and are proud to have her as the head of state but it is also clear throught the media coverage that the general feeling is that when Queen Elizabeth goes, the time will come for a Canadian republic.

   I am currently listening to Cross Country Checkup which is a Canadian national phone in program on CBC and there seems to be one person out of 45 who is talking about continuing the link with the British monarchy past the reign of Queen Elizabeth.

[Robert_Hall]

Const. the same has happened here.  When HM  and Prince Phillip came for a  visit in the 80's,  they drew  huge crowds, even though they arrived in an awful storm. Pouring rain and  strong winds.  They flew up from LA  as the sea was too turbulent to  take the Britannia. It tagged along on it's own.  They stayed at one of our finest hotels and gave the reciprocal dinner at  one of out finest restaurants, instead of the royal yacht.

 When Charles and Camilla arrived a  few years ago, they drew extremely modest crowds, even though the  weather was perfect. The entrance of the QM2 into SF bay  drew  much larger  crowds
 The princely couple had some royal groupies, a minority to say the least,  and left without much notice. As it happened, I was in  the UK during that event,   I persona;ly would not have  bothered anyway, but a couple of people I know went out of their way to see them and I had full reports.

[Constantinople]

The realty is that when someone devalues an institution, it has less value, much like a debased currency.  And whatever the romantic notions about a monarchy, it still needs to have respect to do its job properly.  Without that respect, the institution is worthless.

[joan_d]

They have been recent reports in the British press that the marriage of Charles and Camilla is under strain and that, apart from public appearances, they are virtually leading separate lives.  So a continuation of their relationship BEFORE marriage then

[Adagietto]

Oh dear, I fear that our friend has been reading The People ! A sample: 'As long as two years ago, Camilla confided to friends on a Caribbean cruise that life with Charles had been a nightmare.'

[Eddie_uk]

lol, very funny!!

[Robert_Hall]

Or The Mail, the UK version of the US National Enquirer.
 However, Camilla has maintained from the start, her horse farm & house and frequently  escapes to the country life she likes so muck, away from of the formality of  the  court [such as it might be] of living l at Highgrove or Clarence House.

[Grace]

...and Charles has always maintained a lot of "me" time as well.  It's in his nature, something new bride Diana found very difficult to accept (understandable from her point of view).  I think Camilla enjoys her own space too.  It's only very young couples who think they should be together all the time!  I don't think that means there's trouble in paradise at all, though I'm sure many would like there to be...