Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles are enjoying a close bond at present. The mother and son weren't very close before, but his second wife, Camilla Parker Bowles, reportedly helped them develop a tighter bond.
Queen Elizabeth And Prince Charles Closer Than Ever Thanks To Duchess Camilla
Previous reports claimed that Prince Charles wasn't very close to his mother because, during his formative years, Her Majesty had to step up and lead the monarchy. Prince Charles was closer to the Queen Mother and his nanny.
However, the heir apparent is now "closer than ever to his mother," thanks to the influence of the Duchess of Cornwall.
"[Camilla’s] family is her nucleus — she is extremely close to her son, Tom, daughter, Laura, and five grandchildren," royal biographer Katie Nicholl claimed in an article for Vanity Fair, per Express. "She remains on good terms with her ex-husband, Andrew Parker Bowles, and counts her sister, Annabel, as her best friend."
The Kate: The Future Queen author added, "Her ‘family first’ motto has rubbed off on Charles, who speaks to Prince William almost every day on the phone and is closer than ever to his mother."
The Queen and Prince Charles' closer bond is more visible. Her Majesty praised her eldest son and grandson Prince William for their work at the COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow in 2021. She has been delegating major jobs to the Prince of Wales too.
Last week, the Queen had the Prince of Wales, Duke of Cambridge, and Duchess of Cornwall attend the State Opening of Parliament on her behalf. She also asked Prince Charles to read her message to the congregation.
Camilla Helped Queen Elizabeth And Prince Charles' Relationship Despite Being Canceled
It's not a secret that the Queen wasn't happy when she learned about Prince Charles' affair with Camilla when he was still married to Princess Diana. Camilla was also previously married to Andrew Parker Bowles, a major in a Household regiment, the Blues and Royals.
When Her Majesty was told that the Blues and Royals were not happy with her son sleeping with a major's wife, the Queen immediately decided to ban Camilla from royal events. The Queen and Camilla had been friendly, and the monarch didn't feel a confrontation would be necessary or appropriate.
"She did, however, put out the word that Mrs. Parker Bowles was not to be invited to any Royal events, and that included Charles's 30th birthday party at Buckingham Palace in 1978. The Queen Mother followed suit," royal biographer Andrew Morton wrote in an excerpt of his book serialized in Daily Mail. "Camilla had, in effect, been 'cancelled' by the highest in the land, and there was nothing her Royal lover could do about it."
The Queen canceled Camilla for years. The duchess was not present at Prince Charles' 50th birthday party. The Queen and Prince Philip also declined her invitation to Highgrove on the night of Prince Charles' birthday.
However, things got better between the late 1990s and 2000s. In 2005, Prince Charles married Camilla after the Queen gave her blessing.
Earlier this year, Queen Elizabeth also showed her support and acceptance of Camilla by announcing that she would be Queen Consort when Prince Charles becomes king.
"When, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me; and it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service," the Queen wrote.
What can you say about the Queen and Camilla's relationship over the years?
Stay tuned for more news and updates about the royal family.
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