Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, Part II

[Alix of Wales had Panache]

Camilla out dining (sans Charles) with William at Scott's in Mayfair last night. Joining them were her children Tom and Laura.

Just came across this photo--YES!!!! 

Came out the Prince George & Princess Marina picture thread a while ago.  This is the fashion course the DoC should go.  Minimalist jewlery bring the brim of the hats in.  Sorry I brought this into the thread but seeing that pic *points up* was a big thrill.  Haven't been keeping up with the DoC lately.  Hope she's been adapting this style as of late.

[Lucien]

The Prince and Princess of Wales celebrate their 3rd wedding aniversary today!

[Martyn]

The Prince and Princess of Wales celebrate their 3rd wedding aniversary today!

Must put it in my diary...........

[gleb]

I just finished the book Camilla and Charles by Caroline Graham, can I believe what the author writes or I shouldn't. I mean, to me, it seems  a little bit against Lady D.
Even if I think that Camilla is an exceptional woman, deeply in love with her Prince, faithful and loyal to him and to the Crown.

[Lucien]

The Prince and Princess of Wales celebrate their 3rd wedding aniversary today!

Must put it in my diary...........

Welcome back Martyn,missed you 'round!
 

[Grace]

Perhaps Charles should have realized that wanting something for a long time and eventually getting it are two very different things!  Camilla too!

[joan_d]

Did they both REALLY want it??   The cynic in me says no - they would have been quite content for the status quo to continue but in the 21stC, Royalty has to be far more accountable (and SEEN to be far more accountable) than in days of yore.   Yes - I think Camilla would have much preferred to continue to be a "kept woman" courtesy of the revenue from the Duchy of Cornwall.

[Martyn]

Did they both REALLY want it??   The cynic in me says no - they would have been quite content for the status quo to continue but in the 21stC, Royalty has to be far more accountable (and SEEN to be far more accountable) than in days of yore.   Yes - I think Camilla would have much preferred to continue to be a "kept woman" courtesy of the revenue from the Duchy of Cornwall.

Of course he really wanted it!  I imagine that there must have been some pretty tough talking when he announced that he wanted to marry her, by members of the RF and politicians alike.  I suspect that he would have been quite prepared to give everything up in order to marry her.

It must be added that he is a man who is accustomed to having his own way and he was quite clear that marrying her was absolutely and entirely what he wanted.  Quite what she wanted is less clear, although I suspect that perhaps she would have been content to live half in the shadows with a greater measure of personal freedom as maitresse-en-titre. Still, everything has its price......

The point is that it was so necessary for them to be married.  The stigma attached to Camilla as the mistress would have been unbearable to the POW so the chance to legintimise the situation must have seemed like a heaven-sent opportunity.  Since the wedding he has exerted himself considerably to ensure that she receives the deference that she is due as his wife and that the negative coverage in the media has been reduced in an attempt to boost their joint popularity and encourage the general population to forget what went before and accept her.  How successful he has been in this is open to discussion.

[joan_d]

We could speculate on this situation ad nauseum, Martyn !   Being a resident of the UK, I would say that most people couldn't care less about C&C.   As for deference to this person, I think he is on a loser there.  There is too much history and we are now very aware of what has gone on.   Just too sordid for words - and that is only the bits we KNOW about.

[Martyn]

Well you might just be right about that Joan.  The coverage of the couple in the media is neutral to say the least, which keeps them from being too much of an issue with the public at large, who as we know tend to get fired up about the burning issues of the day.

I think that there are some who have great respect for the couple, choosing to focus on the positive benefits of their union, in the same way that I am sure that they have detractors.  I suspect that overall most people are not bothered about them at all.........

[CHRISinUSA]

I was checking out some of the pictures of Camilla on that link a few posts above, and it struck me how often at various engagements she wears the same pair of pearl earrings.   I also have noticed (and it has been mentioned here before) how often Camilla recycles her outfits and her jewelry.  Frankly, I find this refreshing when compared to many other European royals (British royals included!)  She is clearly not a fashion nor a jewelry slave, yet always manages to look both elegant and appropriate to the occasion. 

This particular skill quite reminds me of the Queen herself, who despite rarely being seen in the same outfit twice, always manages to look both elegant and appropriate without any hint that she is trying hard to do so.  Bravo. 

[Windsor]

I had not noticed this about Camilla.  However, it seems kind of ironic that the Queen also seems to wear the same pearl earrings 99% of the time to daytime functions.  I have often wondered if she has some special attachment to these particular earrings and where they came from.  Perhaps Camilla is following the Queens lead (you know, imitation is the purest form of flattery)!

[Martyn]

I had not noticed this about Camilla.  However, it seems kind of ironic that the Queen also seems to wear the same pearl earrings 99% of the time to daytime functions.  I have often wondered if she has some special attachment to these particular earrings and where they came from.  Perhaps Camilla is following the Queens lead (you know, imitation is the purest form of flattery)!

I'm sure that is a grat consolation to HM, especially when Camilla appears laden with more diamonds than the Queen herself!

The Queen's pearl earrings belonged to Queen Mary, and are secured with a diamond stud.  These earrings were popular with QM for daywear; the Queen must like them for the sentimental attachment and for the fact that they are discreet and perhaps comfortable to wear.

As for Camilla's wardrobe being tasteful and appropriate, opinion is divided over that.  Just how frugal she is with her clothing is also open to debate, as her clothing requirements must now be huge, compared to the days when she could tramp around the countryside in an old barbour covered in doghairs and a pair of muddy wellies.  These outfits won't come cheap, nor the oversized millinery.  There is no denying that she needs to dress to a certain standard and her clothing befits her status (after all, we don't need another 'Princess Parsimonious') but the expense must be considerable.  Still Charles pays for all of that, so really it is their business........

Her jewellery collection now rivals that of many queens, augmented by fine pieces from Cookie's collection and frequently enhanced by purchases made by Charles; all a far cry from her down-market country look of yesteryear..............

[Michael HR]

But still I think the British people do not want her as Queen. It will be intresting what happens when Charles ascends as to her position. If she is crowned I can see a great outcry from the British people over this. The POW casts a long shadow down the years.

[mcdnab]

I think a few years ago i might have been more upset at the idea of her being crowned - to be honest i am not that bothered about it now.  I've seen her on a couple of public occassions and she actually appears rather nice - not the high glamour of Diana - but i don't believe she deserves the appalling press she's had. 

We don't have morganatic marriages in the UK thank goodness - and if she's good enough to be his wife then in my view she's good enough to be Queen Consort.  Apart from the most passionate fans of the late Diana I don't think people will be that bothered either way.  I find the compromise the Palace and Charles invented rather silly - legally she is HRH The Princess of Wales and in time legally she will HM Queen Camilla.  The idea of a Princess Consort is daft - what rank does it give her - will she still be first lady of the land (in which case she might as well be Queen) would she outrank her future step daughter in law etc - what happens on a state visit or banquet when Foreign Royals arrive is she required to curtsey to Europe's future and present Queens Regnant and Consort.  Silly and confusing and a sop to those people who hold her responsible for Diana's misery when the only persons to blame for their marriage collapsing are Charles and Diana themselves. 

(there is of course the possibility that she or Charles might predecease the present Queen in any case when the point will be rather moot)