S Poddar
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex has been under immense media scrutiny due to his highly contentious memoir release last year. In that book, the Duke pointed fingers at Queen Camilla for engaging in “briefings, leakings, and plantings” with British press—something that does not seem to help out the already split Royal Family.
According to a royal commentator, Harry’s accusations against Camilla, including allegations that she leaked negative stories about him and Meghan Markle, have made him a divisive figure. Among such accusations is the widely publicized story of how Princess Kate apparently left an engagement in tears. Such accusations have only added fuel to already sizzling tensions within the monarchy, which critics call “paranoid”.
The Channel 4 documentary Queen Camilla: The Wicked Stepmother? was released, which again stirred up public debate about Camilla’s position in the Royal Family. Author and commentator A.N. Wilson strongly came to Camilla’s defense, stating that she has been unfairly singled out by Harry’s attacks.
Wilson noted, “The Royal Households are full of people, including large numbers of staff, and the institution of royal courts is leaky.” On Harry’s claims, he wrote in the Mail: “No one has ever presented a shred of evidence that, after Kate and Meghan had a row, Camilla’s side immediately leaked the story. Frankly, it’s impossible to imagine such a turn of events.”
He also highlighted Camilla’s steadfast dedication to royal duties, particularly during King Charles’s battle with illness. “Camilla wore herself out doing public duties, especially during the King’s illness and cancer treatment,” he noted, praising her as a crucial stabilizing presence within the family.
Wilson lauded her resilience, adding, “Camilla is the best thing that has happened to the Royal Family since the Queen Mother.”
Camilla’s Legacy Within the Royal Family .
Though criticisms against her continue to appear, Queen Camilla has not ceased doing her part for the royal family. In recent data, she ranked as the sixth hardest-working royal. In one year, she participated in 95 official engagements, based on statistics from Reboot Online.
However, Camilla had to cut back her schedule recently due to a stubborn chest infection, which was the reason for her not attending the Royal Variety Performance. Still, those who know her work point out that she has “solid qualities of common sense and humour.” Wilson described her as a person whose “pleasant manners, cheery conversational style, and decency” always leave an impression on anyone she meets.
While reminiscing about the earlier public perception of Camilla, Wilson recalled her time during the breakdown of Prince Charles’s marriage with Princess Diana when she was declared “the most hated woman in Britain.” Over time, Camilla has reversed public perception by being diligently focused on her unassuming role within the royal structure.
The repercussions of his memoir and continuing estrangement from his family have proven challenging for Prince Harry. Once the darling of the monarchy, he is today alienated from much of the institution he was born to. His complaint has been deemed to dominate his former reputation as a modernizing influence in the royal fold.
Tensions persist; the Duke of Sussex remains such a polarizing figure, and Queen Camilla keeps smiling along with the rest of the scrutiny. Their contrasting public images underscore the ongoing complexity of relationships within Britain’s most famous family.
