London
A gradual changing of the guard is happening at the head of Britain’s royal family, as Queen Elizabeth II steps back from public engagements due to her advanced age and health.
The 95-year-old monarch’s eldest son and heir, Charles, Prince of Wales, has been shouldering more of the burden of official duties for several years, including overseas.
But his wife, Camilla, is increasingly stepping into the fray, both online during coronavirus pandemic restrictions in the past year and now in person, after curbs were lifted.
Joining the couple at the royal vanguard are Charles’ eldest son from his first marriage to Princess Diana, William, and his wife, Kate.
As a result, they have earned a greater share of the media coverage that would previously have gone to the monarch, who has been advised to rest by doctors.
Their presence at events—from the world premiere of the latest James Bond film to meeting world leaders at the G7 and UN climate summits—is a clear sign of change to come.
Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty Magazine, told AFP their visibility “will accelerate within the fullness of time”. “But a lot of people are now familiar with Camilla and are getting to know her,” he added.
Camilla, 74, also known as the Duchess of Cornwall, will become consort when Charles, 72, takes the throne. William, 39, will move up the line of succession to heir apparent.
Only a few years ago, a different “Fab Four” were seen as the future of Britain’s most famous family: William and Kate along with his younger brother Harry and his wife Meghan.
But plans changed dramatically last year when Harry and Meghan moved to the United States, from where they have criticised the family and even accused it of racism.
The rise of Camilla—once a hate-figure for being “the other woman” in Charles and Diana’s marriage—has been remarkable.
“Her position has certainly evolved and there’s been a huge and very long process of rehabilitation since… she was described as this rottweiler at the time of Diana,” royal historian Anna Whitelock told the Daily Express.—APP
