Queen Camilla has embraced her role as both a prominent figure in the British monarchy and a loving grandmother. As the wife of King Charles, she continues to play a pivotal role in the royal family’s duties, particularly after a challenging year in 2024 when King Charles battled cancer. Despite undergoing treatment, King Charles remains committed to serving the Crown, while Camilla has stepped into an even more significant role, earning praise for her dedication and resilience. With her growing popularity, she has become a symbol of strength and grace within the royal family.
A Changing Dynamic: Camilla’s Growing Role in the Royal Family
When Charles ascended to the throne, there was much optimism about what the future would hold for the monarchy. However, this optimism was quickly overshadowed by the king’s health struggles. In 2024, King Charles was diagnosed with cancer, which required months of treatment and saw Camilla stepping in to represent him at many engagements. Despite the personal challenges they faced, Camilla rose to the occasion, taking on responsibilities with poise and dedication. Her efforts have not gone unnoticed, and her popularity has continued to grow, both with the public and within royal circles.
Camilla’s Grandmother Role: A Heartfelt Connection with Her Grandchildren
Beyond her royal duties, Camilla cherishes her role as a grandmother. She has two children from her previous marriage to Andrew Parker Bowles: Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes. Tom has two children, Lola and Freddy, while Laura has a daughter, Eliza, and twin sons, Louis and Gus. Camilla has formed strong bonds with her grandchildren, and despite the busy life she leads, she makes time to stay connected with them, even if they don’t see each other daily.
In a 2022 interview with Vogue, Camilla shared that she enjoys daily interactions with her grandchildren, such as playing Wordle with her granddaughter Lola. Camilla described the fun competition: “She’ll text me to say, ‘I’ve done it in three,’ and I say, ‘Sorry, I’ve done it in two today.’ It’s very satisfactory when it tells you how brilliant you are!”
Her relationship with her grandchildren has had a positive impact on her, adding joy to her daily life. “It’s very nice getting a text,” Camilla said. “We learn from very young people and they learn from us, too. That’s the way it’s always been.” This playful exchange highlights the close bond Camilla shares with her grandchildren, showing the warmth and affection they have for one another.
The Realities of Grandparenting: Camilla Reflects on Her Role
Being a grandmother has always been something Camilla holds dear, but as her grandchildren grow older, she has come to a bittersweet realization. She shared her thoughts on the changes she has observed in her granddaughters, such as their growing interest in makeup, clothes, and personal style. “It’s rather frightening when you see them, coming out with pierced ears and a lot of new makeup and funny-colored hair and stuff,” she admitted. While Camilla loves spoiling her grandchildren, she also recognizes that the carefree days of childhood are behind them, and they are becoming more independent with each passing year.
Camilla’s reflections on this shift in her grandchildren’s lives were shared in the 2018 documentary The Real Camilla: HRH The Duchess of Cornwall. In the documentary, she fondly recalled how being a grandmother allowed her to “spoil them” and provide them with things their parents might not, all while embracing the joy of their company. “You can give them a wonderful time, spoil them, give them all the things their parents won’t allow them to have, and then give them back again,” she explained. This lighthearted approach to grandparenting has been a significant part of her life, as she enjoys sharing these special moments with her grandchildren.
Camilla’s Relationship with Step-Grandchildren
In addition to her biological grandchildren, Camilla has also embraced her role as a step-grandmother to King Charles’s grandchildren from his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. These include Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, as well as Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Although Camilla is not the biological grandmother of these children, she has taken on the role with love and care.
However, Camilla understands the boundaries within this relationship. As Robert Hardman, the author of The Making of a King: King Charles III, noted, Camilla is careful not to intrude on her husband’s relationship with his grandchildren. “She wouldn’t want to be getting into the King’s space with his grandchildren. She’s not going to push herself,” Hardman explained. Camilla has always been respectful of the importance of her husband’s relationship with his children and grandchildren, and she values the connection she shares with her own family as well.
Prince William’s Support for Camilla
Despite the complexities of her role as a step-grandmother, Camilla has worked hard to build a positive relationship with her step-grandchildren, including Prince William and his family. William reportedly values Camilla’s presence in his life, describing her as a bonus rather than a typical step-grandmother. “Having them around is more like having a bonus. She loves children and the more the merrier,” said royal expert Angela Levin in her book Camilla: From Outcast to Queen Consort.
William has emphasized that Camilla is his father’s wife, but not a step-grandmother to his children. This distinction is important to him, as he wants his children to understand that they have “two grandfathers but only one grandmother.” Camilla has respected these boundaries, focusing on fostering a relationship with her step-grandchildren without overstepping.
Navigating Her Role as a Stepmother
Camilla’s entry into the royal family was not without its challenges. Becoming a stepmother to Prince William and Prince Harry, especially after the tragic loss of their mother, Princess Diana, was a difficult task. Parenting expert Lucy Shrimpton, founder of The Sleep Nanny, explained that this role was made more challenging by the public scrutiny and the complex relationship the media and the public had with Camilla. Despite this, Camilla approached her role with grace, focusing on building a positive relationship with William and Harry while respecting the memory of their mother.
“Camilla seems to have taken the role of stepmother to the future King of England and his brother in her stride. Rather than wanting to replace their mother, she seems to want to be their friend,” Shrimpton explained. Over the years, Camilla has proven her commitment to her family, developing strong bonds with William and Harry and, later, with their families.
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Conclusion: A Strong and Loving Matriarch
Queen Camilla’s journey as a mother, stepmother, and grandmother is a testament to her resilience and commitment to family. Despite the challenges she has faced, she has remained dedicated to nurturing her relationships with her children, grandchildren, and step-grandchildren. Her ability to adapt to her evolving role in the royal family has made her a beloved figure, and her relationship with her family remains strong.
Camilla’s story is one of love, strength, and devotion, and her role as a grandmother has added a new dimension to her legacy. Whether as a step-grandmother or a biological one, Camilla’s impact on her family is undeniable, and her legacy will continue to inspire future generations.
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