How Camilla coped with fallout from Royal affair

THE Duchess of Cornwall has told how she coped with the intense scrutiny of her relationship with Prince Charles - confessing no one likes being criticised but she chose to "rise above it and get on with it".

- Tony Whitfield

Camilla has also given a rare insight into her 17-year marriage to the Prince of Wales, revealing that they relish chats over a cup of tea and love just to sit in silence together reading.

And she vowed to continue with her work against domestic violence and other issues she is passionate about when she becomes Queen as "there's a lot of things to be done still".

To mark her 75th birthday on July 17, Camilla makes her debut in next month's issue of fashion bible British Vogue and was photographed at Clarence House.

She confesses that as more birthdays pass, she wishes she could turn the clock back but loves being a grandmother because she can spoil her grandchildren.

However, she explained how in the 1990s she and her family faced a level of scrutiny as Charles' marriage to Princess Diana broke down that remains unmatched to this day.

"It's not easy," the Duchess said. "I was scrutinised for such a long time that you just have to find a way to live with it.

"Nobody likes to be looked at all the time and, you know, criticised... but I think in the end, I sort of rise above it and get on with it.

"You've got to get on with life."

Charles, 73, and the then Camilla Parker Bowles later married in a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall on April 9, 2005.