Queen Camilla is nation's strength and stay as cancer envelops Royals

SHOW OF DUTY WINS ADMIRERS WHILE KING AND WALESES SIDELINED

- Emily Ferguson

THE Queen has been the King's rock during his shock cancer diagnosis and weeks of treatment and it appears the public take comfort from her sense of duty.

In an exclusive poll for the Express, Camilla's popularity has risen since January at a time when she has had to hold the royal fort in the wake of Charles and Kate's cancer battles.

The Prince and Princess of Wales remain the most popular members of the Royal Family, though the research by Ipsos found William's rating to be King has fallen slightly after stepping back from public duties to support his wife.

Camilla's popularity has increased from 35% to 38% in just two months, according to a survey of 1,089 UK adults aged 18-75 between March 26-28.

Her net favourability has also gone up by four points compared with a previous poll in January.

For decades, the Queen has faced intense public scrutiny and vilification due to her infamous affair with Charles while he was still married to Princess Diana.

Her popularity has typically fared at the lower end of the list of the Royals, but her position has started to improve as the public finally comes to accept her as their Queen.

It was the late Queen Elizabeth's masterstroke in February 2022, some six months before she died, to announce her "sincere wish" for Camilla to take the title of Queen when her son ascended the throne.

Her blessing helped pave the way for her daughter-in-law to finally become accepted.