Royal biographer reveals her struggle with strict protocol
Queen Camilla made a significant adjustment when she married King Charles, reportedly struggling with the rigid royal protocols that came with her new role.
As the King and Queen prepare to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary with a royal tour of Italy—including a private audience with the Pope and a visit to the Sistine Chapel—the milestone also carries a poignant note. Their anniversary on April 9 coincides with the passing of Prince Philip in 2021.
A new book by royal expert Tom Quinn, Yes Ma’am: The Secret Life of Royal Servants, has revealed one of Camilla’s early concerns about royal life. According to excerpts published by The Times, Camilla was unsettled by the formalities surrounding her new role.
Quinn claims that before their 2005 wedding, Camilla questioned Charles about the strict traditions she was expected to follow. "Can’t we get away from all this protocol? It’s all bo****ks," she reportedly said. Charles, who is known to dislike swearing, is said to have responded, "You’re doing it [becoming Queen] for me, darling."
A palace staff member reportedly overheard the exchange and noted that Camilla “hated the idea of being Queen.”
Despite initial reservations and years of public scrutiny—particularly due to Charles’s previous marriage to Princess Diana—the couple has endured. They first met in 1970 while married to other partners before officially tying the knot in 2005.
