The Real Camilla

As she approaches her 70th birthday, the Duchess of Cornwall invited The Weekly to spend two weeks criss-crossing Britain with her. In a candid profile, Juliet Rieden discovers the royal’s private under-the-radar missions, her uncompromising fervour for women’s rights and her wicked sense of fun. Friends also tell of Camilla’s pain following the tragic death of her brother, and the deep, deep love at the heart of her marriage to Prince Charles.

- Juliet Rieden

It’s International Women’s Day in London and in a courtly rose-pink room dotted with priceless artwork and liveried footmen, in the heart of Buckingham Palace, a noisy swell of boisterous chatter is gathering force. The Duchess of Cornwall is hosting a lunchtime launch party for the Women of the World Festival and the impressive list of invitees includes actress Gillian Anderson, former Prime Ministers’ wives Cherie Blair and Sarah Brown, Foreign Minister Boris Johnson’s motor mouth sister Rachel Johnson, comedienne Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Aussie Kathy Lette, to name a few.

They’re a feisty, imposing lot and as the Duchess weaves her way through the throng, shaking hands, embracing and bursting into laughter, she looks in her element. The Duchess and I have met on several occasions in Australia and London, and she immediately welcomes me into the Palace fold and shares proudly: “This is a wonderful group of women, isn’t it!” She’s right.

It’s now 12 years since Camilla Parker Bowles married into the “Royal Firm”. The love match that turned her countrywoman world upside down also propelled her into the busiest and most high-profile job of her life.

On July 17, Camilla will turn 70 and her future as Princess Consort – or possibly Queen, if public opinion concedes and allows her the title many believe she’s due – is only going to become more industrious.

As she has grown in confidence supporting husband Prince Charles, so the Duchess has also developed her own objectives and vocations, and they make for a surprising portfolio.