Past Shadows Loom as Camilla Navigates New Role Amid King Charles’ Health Concerns
Queen Camilla is confronting a challenging emotional journey during her first royal tour of Australia since King Charles' cancer diagnosis, as she grapples with a constant reminder of past struggles.
The King and Queen were greeted with a grand light display and warm reception upon their arrival on Friday. However, according to royal historian Dr. Tessa Dunlop, Camilla’s presence may be overshadowed by lingering memories of the late Princess Diana and Charles’ health, making the tour a difficult experience for her.
Dunlop explained to The Mirror that with public focus on the King’s health, there has been less attention on Camilla, despite her arrival as Australia’s new queen. She noted that Camilla has “giant shoes to fill, not just those of the late Queen but also of Princess Diana.”
The expert also reflected on Australia's deep-rooted connection to Diana, stating, "The public fell in love with the royal fairy tale of Charles and Diana, which sparked the 'Diana-mania' in Australia." While the British press has grown fond of Camilla in recent years, Dunlop believes the memory of Diana’s mistreatment still lingers more strongly in Australia.
Though Camilla has worked hard to rebuild her reputation, her past remains a challenge as she embarks on this tour. It remains to be seen whether the Queen Consort will win over the Australian public.
