- 3:01 ET, Feb 8 2022
- Updated: 3:01 ET, Feb 8 2022
THE Queen backed Prince Charles’ plan to make Camilla his queen FIVE years ago, royal sources have claimed.
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall paid tribute to Her Majesty as she marked 70 years on the throne this weekend – with the Prince telling of his joy that his “darling wife” is set to become the next Queen.
It was officially announced on Saturday that Camilla will be honoured with the title when Charles becomes King.
But the Queen gave Charles her blessing up to five years ago so he could change his coronation vows to include “Queen Camilla”, the Mail reported.
It’s also claimed the Prince of Wales had initially planned to announce Camilla would be his Queen way back in 2019.
A source told the paper: “This is something that has been on the Prince of Wales’ mind for some time, but the timing had to be right. There was this nervousness, they wanted to get it right.
“It’s been a done deal for some time, but the question has been how best to execute it. You are not going to please everyone. They understand that some people still won’t be happy, but the family believes it is the right thing to do.”
Speaking after the Queen’s statement, Charles and Camilla said they were “touched and honoured” by the gesture.
Read our Royal Family live blog for the latest news and updates…
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Camilla and Theresa May back campaign urging abuse survivors to seek help
A new campaign, supported by the Duchess of Cornwall and former Prime Minister Theresa May, has been launched to encourage victims and survivors of sexual and domestic abuse to come forward for help through the NHS.
It comes on the first day of Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week and is backed by a £20 million boost to specialist services, NHS England (NHSE) said.
The campaign aims to highlight the support offered at dozens of sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) in England, while the NHS is also creating two new clinical lead roles for domestic violence and sexual assault.
NHSE said the 24-hour centres offer confidential specialist, practical, medical and emotional support to anyone who has been raped, sexually assaulted, or abused – no matter when it happened.
Welcoming the campaign, Mrs May said victims of sexual assault and abuse need to know “the NHS is there for them”.
She said: “Sadly incidents of domestic abuse and sexual assault increased during lockdown and the extra funding for services for victims of abuse and sexual violence is much needed.
“Dedicated domestic violence support for the NHS and integrated care systems is particularly welcome as local medical care plays an important role in identifying abuse and supporting victims.”
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Queen still hard at work
Palace aides yesterday released footage of the Queen at her desk reading government papers — showing that she is fit and ready to return to duties.
Filmed last Wednesday, it reveals a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse of the Queen still hard at work in her seventh decade on the throne.
The Queen is seen in an armchair in The Saloon at Sandringham signing government papers from her Red Boxes — of which she has dealt with thousands during her reign.
She is seen remarking on “very kind” comments from US President Joe Biden when she received the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Women of Leadership award back in December.
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‘She looked marvellous’
Courtiers were thrilled after she appeared sprightly on her feet at a Sandringham reception this weekend — giving them confidence to push on with the diary planning.
They intend for her to start travelling again for public events in March ahead of her 96th birthday in April.
Royal biographer Penny Junor said: “I have not been panicking about the Queen’s state of health because before she stepped back she had a schedule of someone who was 65 not 95. She was just overdoing it.”
Ms Junor said Her Maj had been looking “healthy and radiant”, adding: “I have not been thinking it was the end.
“The footage from her Sandringham party she looked marvellous.
“I hope she doesn’t overdo it as most 95-year-olds are sedentary.”
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How did George VI die?
Princess Elizabeth, then aged 25, was in Kenya on a royal tour when she learned of her father George VI’s death.
The King, who was ill with lung cancer and other ailments, had ignored doctors’ advice to see his daughter off from London Airport on January 31.
Elizabeth and her husband Philip planned to travel to Australia after a week in Kenya.
But on the morning of February 6, the King was found dead from a coronary thrombosis in his bed at Sandringham in Norfolk. Philip broke the news to his wife.
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Who was Queen Elizabeth II’s father?
The Queen’s father was George VI, who was born on 14 December 1895.
He was King of of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death on 6 February 1952.
The Queen succeeded her father on the same day.
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Kate Middleton and Prince William photo in background of Queen’s Jubilee picture
As The Queen offered words of thanks to family it was fitting that she was positioned by a number of family pictures on the sideboard behind her.
Eagle-eyes fans were quick to point out one snap in particular that caught their attention.
Sitting behind her Royal Highness was a heartwarming engagement photograph of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
The photo is one of the official pictures released by the couple to mark their engagement back in 2010.
In the tender shot you can see the pair clasped in each others arms and smiling at the camera with Kate’s engagement ring on display.
The picture was taken by Princess Diana’s favourite photographer, and her good friend, Mario Testino.
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Harry & ‘fake duchess’ Meghan branded ‘brain-dead’ & ‘irrelevant’ by Tucker Carlson
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have come under pressure to ditch their reported $25million mega-deal with streaming giant after it was accused of hosting anti-jab content by US comedian Joe Rogan.
Despite releasing little more than 35 minutes of content for Spotify so far after signing up more than a year ago, the couple have stuck with the deal – prompting a tirade of backlash.
Fox News talk show host Tucker Carlson took a swipe at the pair, labeling them “grifters” in a furious rant.
“That annoying fake duchess from LA and her brain-dead husband threatened to walk if Spotify refused to muzzle Joe Rogan. But they’re not going anywhere,” he said.
“These two grifters have a $25million podcast deal with Spotify for essentially no work.
“So far, we believe they have produced just over 30 minutes of content. That means these two have been paid about a million dollars for each minute of talking they’ve done. That’s a good gig. It’s too good to leave.”
TV host Greg Gutfeld also waded in, branding Harry and Meghan “a bunch of deadbeats” while speaking on The Five.
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The historic crown encrusted with 2,800 diamonds
CAMILLA is to be given a historic crown encrusted with 2,800 diamonds when Prince Charles takes the throne and she becomes Queen Consort.
The jewelled headgear features a hefty 105-carat Koh-i-Noor stone given to Queen Victoria by the Sultan of Turkey in 1856.
It was made for the Queen Mother, then Queen Elizabeth, for her husband King George VI’s coronation in 1937.
And it boasts a platinum frame set with thousands of diamonds, many from Victoria’s Regal Circlet, as well as one of the world’s largest jewels.
The Koh-i-Noor diamond had been successively mounted in the crowns of Queen Alexandra and Queen Mary, and was once again reset for this crown.
The Turkish stone was a gift from Sultan Abdul Medjid as a gesture of gratitude for British support during the Crimean War.
The crown, which weighs 510g and was designed by Garrard & Co, is currently on display at the Tower of London but will be placed on Camilla’s head for Charles’ coronation when he becomes King, The Daily Mail reports.
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Andrew may face court over claims his £15m mansion was bought by billionaire to launder millions
Andrew faces being dragged into another court case over allegations his mansion was bought by a billionaire to launder millions in dirty cash.
The Duke of York sold the luxury property for £15million in 2007 to Kazakh tycoon Timur Kulibayev — in a deal shrouded in controversy.
A disputed report by private investigators has now allegedly found reasonable grounds to suspect the Berkshire estate was purchased to launder embezzled money from the sale of Kazakh state-owned assets.
But an associate of Mr Kulibayev, billionaire Arvind Tiku, has filed a High Court writ, claiming the report breached his data protection rights.
His lawyers say the report is false, as law enforcement agencies conducted a three-year probe into the sale of Sunninghill Park, with no further action taken.
It comes as Andrew, 61, prepares to defend himself in the looming civil sex assault case brought by Virginia Giuffre.
He denies all allegations.
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Camilla’s always been a joy for me to photograph
This is a comment piece by Arthur Edwards
CAMILLA has always been a joy for me to photograph and I look forward to every engagement where I am working with her.
She is a huge support to Prince Charles and they laugh a lot. When something funny happens, nothing will stop them.
Some of my most memorable photographs of our future Queen include when a giant stick insect jumped on her arm at the South of England Showground in Ardingly, West Sussex, in 2017.
She cried: “Get it off, get it off.”
And when she was handed a stein of lager on a visit to Munich in 2019, Camilla said: “I can’t finish this, but I will try.”
I love the picture of her at an art gallery during the royal tour of New Zealand in 2015.
I asked Camilla to please “stand still ma’am” in front of a laser beam exhibit.
And in 2017 she posed with me in Malaysia.
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Sussexes yet to publicly congratulate Queen on Platinum Jubilee
The couple have remained silent – despite news that Camilla will become Queen Consort when Charles is eventually made King.
Almost 24 hours after the news was revealed, the Sussexes are yet to speak publicly from their £11million mansion in exclusive Montecito.
They do not use social media, and instead use their freedom from royal duties to champion a range of causes and businesses.
Updates on their lives are provided through their Archewell website.
The couple recently confirmed that “sources” will no longer speak for them – and they will only comment when they wish to through their official press team.
Despite the lack of public response, Harry is understood to have been enjoying video calls with his father over the past few weeks.
He is expected to return to the UK for the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
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Charles and Camilla were ‘touched and honoured’
Speaking after the Queen’s statement, Charles and Camilla said they were “touched and honoured” by the gesture.
Charles also paid tribute to his “darling wife” and said he was “deeply conscious of the honour”.
It’s reported the Prince had initially planned to announce Camilla would be his Queen back in 2019.
The source told the paper: “This is something that has been on the Prince of Wales’ mind for some time, but the timing had to be right.
“There was a nervousness, they wanted to get it right.
“It’s been a done deal for some time, but the question has been how best to execute it. You are not going to please everyone.
“They understand that some people still won’t be happy, but the family believe it is the right thing to do.”
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Royal round up
- Harry and Meghan have yet to publicly congratulate the Queen on the Jubilee
- Piers Morgan says Camilla deserves to be Queen – and the Sussexes could learn something from her
- Royal fans spot a romantic picture of Kate and William in an official Jubilee photo
- Her Majesty was on sparkling form as she cut a celebratory cake
- And she took a break to say hello to her dorgi as she read cards from children
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Queen gave Charles permission to call his wife Queen Camilla 5 YEARS ago’
HER Majesty backed Charles’ plan to make Camilla his queen five YEARS ago – and the Duchess of Cornwall will be given the Queen Mother’s crown, it’s reported.
The Prince of Wales is said to have changed some of his coronation vows to include ‘Queen Camilla’ with his mother’s backing in 2017.
It was officially announced on Saturday that Camilla will be honoured with the title when Charles becomes King.
But a senior palace source told the Daily Mail the plans have been in place for some years now.
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Queen ‘to gift Camilla her mother’s crown
It was officially announced on Saturday that Camilla will be honoured with the title when Charles becomes King.
The Queen made a historic statement last night to confirm she wishes the Duchess to be fully acknowledged when her eldest son takes the throne.
Movingly, she signed the address to Brits: “Your servant, Elizabeth R.”
And when Charles is appointed, the Queen Mother’s priceless platinum and diamond crown will be placed on Camilla’s head.
It was made for King George VI’s coronation in 1937.
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Queen ending four-month work break
Her Majesty, 95, marked her record-breaking anniversary yesterday by remembering her father King George VI — and looking to the future.
Her weekend announcement that Camilla will become Queen Consort when her son Prince Charles takes the throne had sparked speculation that she may be taking a step back from royal duties.
But she is returning to work after a four-month break following her health scare last year.
She has a diary full of initially light duties and then a series of public outings in March.
The Queen has even been given the green light to have a major role at her four-day Platinum Jubilee national party in June.
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Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank have an important milestone this year
The Queen isn’t only one with a reason to celebrate this month.
February will bring an important anniversary for Princess Eugenie and husband Jack Brooksbank.
This time last year, Eugenie gave birth to their baby son August, who will celebrate his first birthday later this month.
For any new parents, a baby’s first birthday is a big deal.
However, no plans for baby August’s first birthday have been revealed yet.
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What did Charles say on Accession Day?
In a written message marking the Queen’s Accession Day anniversary, Prince Charles said he and Camilla were “deeply conscious” of the honour.
“On this historic day, my wife and I join you all in congratulating Her Majesty The Queen on the remarkable achievement of serving this nation, the Realms and Commonwealth for seventy year,” the Prince said.
“The Queen’s devotion to the welfare of all her people inspires still greater admiration with each passing year.
“We are deeply conscious of the honour represented by my mother’s wish.
“As we have sought together to serve and support Her Majesty and the people of our communities, my darling wife has been my own steadfast support throughout.
“The year of this unprecedented Platinum Jubilee brings an opportunity for us all to come together in celebrating the service of The Queen, by whose example we will continue to be led in the years to come.”
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Charles hails darling Camilla as queen is shown at work
The Prince of Wales has paid tribute to his “darling” Duchess of Cornwall – the future Queen Consort – for her “steadfast support” as his mother the Queen was shown at work to mark her historic Platinum Jubilee.
Heir to throne Charles heralded the Queen for how her “devotion to the welfare of all her people inspires still greater admiration with each passing year”.
Footage and a photograph of the monarch on duty working on her famous red boxes was released in honour of her Jubilee milestone.
Elizabeth II has become the first British sovereign in history to celebrate 70 years on the throne.
The smiling Queen, seated in a chair at Sandringham House, was pictured with her papers of state on a table in front of her, with a poignant image of her late father King George VI holding one of his corgis nearby.
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Piers Morgan congratulates queen-to-be Camilla
Several years ago, I was invited to a star-studded Christmas lunch at Fortnum and Mason.
I sat opposite an immaculately regal-attired Camilla, and to her left sat Chris Evans, who unlike the rest of the suited-and-booted gathering was in casual clothes and draped in a massive quantity of colourful festive tinsel that he wore throughout the meal and which, in typically British manner, nobody mentioned.
“Your Royal Highness,” I eventually asked, “I have to address the elephant in the room – is this the first time you’ve ever been sat next to someone dressed as a gigantic purple Christmas tree and are you as disconcerted by it as I am?”
All eyes, including Dame Judi Dench, Stephen Fry, Paul O’Grady and Dame Joanna Lumley, and a smirking Evans, turned to the Duchess.
“Good Lord no!” she guffawed, “this is very tame.”
Her amused reaction – I can think of a few snobbish royals who’d have got very snotty about such sartorial effrontery – said everything you need to know about the woman just formally endorsed by the Queen as the next person to hold that historic title when Prince Charles becomes King.
I’ve known Camilla for over 20 years, and we’ve always got on oddly well which may be down to the fact that we grew up in next door East Sussex villages – she in Plumpton, me in Newick just a mile down the road – and of course, we’re both massively misunderstood and unfairly maligned public figures!
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Camilla’s risen above royal circus fray with grace & duty, says Piers Morgan
“HELLO Piers, how’s my rhino?” asked Britain’s next queen, Camilla Parker-Bowles, the last time we met a few weeks ago.
“I hope you’re still taking good care of it?”
“I am, Ma’am,” I chuckled. “It’s still hanging proudly on my loo wall!’”
The Duchess of Cornwall is a keen amateur painter but has only ever sold one of her pictures, a watercolour of a large rhinoceros in the African bush which I bought at a charity auction in 2002 when I was editor of the Daily Mirror and stuck up in my office.
“Charles and I used to see it behind your head when you did interviews, and we were always completely horrified!” she told me, years later.
Now the royal rhino resides in my own private throne-room, and in many ways perfectly symbolises Camilla’s own character.
After all, rhinos are intelligent animals known for their very thick skin, stamina, resilience, hard work ethic and strong, versatile, protective personalities. Where they differ from Camilla is how they handle unusual situations.
If a rhino feels uncomfortable, it will immediately attack. Camilla’s made of calmer stock.
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Harry and Meghan yet to publicly congratulate Queen
PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle have yet to publicly congratulate the Queen as she celebrates her Platinum Jubilee.
The couple have remained silent – despite news that Camilla will become Queen Consort when Charles is eventually made King.
Her Majesty made a historic statement last night to confirm she wishes the Duchess of Cornwall to be fully acknowledged when her eldest son takes the throne.
Movingly, she signed the address to Brits: “Your servant, Elizabeth R.”
Charles and Camilla said they were “touched and honoured” by the gesture, while the Prince of Wales paid tribute to his “darling wife” and said he was “deeply conscious of the honour”.
But almost 24 hours after the news was revealed, the Sussexes are yet to speak publicly from their £11million mansion in exclusive Montecito.
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Harry and Meghan yet to publicly congratulate Queen
PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle have yet to publicly congratulate the Queen as she celebrates her Platinum Jubilee.
The couple have remained silent – despite news that Camilla will become Queen Consort when Charles is eventually made King.
Her Majesty made a historic statement last night to confirm she wishes the Duchess of Cornwall to be fully acknowledged when her eldest son takes the throne.
Movingly, she signed the address to Brits: “Your servant, Elizabeth R.”
Charles and Camilla said they were “touched and honoured” by the gesture, while the Prince of Wales paid tribute to his “darling wife” and said he was “deeply conscious of the honour”.
But almost 24 hours after the news was revealed, the Sussexes are yet to speak publicly from their £11million mansion in exclusive Montecito.
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When was the world introduced to baby Archie?
Meghan and Harry beamed on May 8 as they introduced their “amazing” baby boy to the world – and revealed his name as Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor
The new parents appeared tired but ecstatic as they cradled the newborn, with giddy bearded dad Harry joking his son “already has facial hair”.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s low key announcement at Windsor Castle is in stark contrast to Kate Middleton and Prince William’s baby reveals that saw hundreds of photographers snap pictures of their three children hours after they were born.
Where the baby boy was born will be revealed in the birth certificate – which must be completed within 42 days of the birth.
New mum Meghan, 37, stunned in a white dress that bared her arms as she stood by grinning new dad Prince Harry, 34, who cradled their little boy.
She gushed over life after welcoming her little boy, saying: “It’s magic. It’s pretty amazing. I have the best two guys in the world, so I’m really happy.”
And she said the baby boy, who is just two days old, already had the “sweetest temperament” – adding “he’s the dream”.