For years, Princess Anne and Queen Camilla’s relationship was fraught with tension, stemming from a tangled history of shared romantic links and opposing personalities.
The friction crested when sources revealed the blunt and caustic statements Princess Anne allegedly hurled at Queen Camilla after she became queen, resulting in an “emotionally charged” situation. However, time had an unusual way of repairing their broken connection.
Queen Camilla and Princess Anne’s Strained Relationship
According to author Angela Levin’s book Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall: From Outcast to Future Queen Consort, the two women’s relationship took a long time to warm up.
Princess Anne, known for her no-nonsense manner, reportedly struggled to warm up to Queen Camilla when she first joined the royal family. The initial conflict between the two women was caused by a variety of circumstances.
This featured a common past with Andrew Parker Bowles, Princess Anne’s erstwhile love interest and later Queen Camilla’s first husband. Princess Anne had a love involvement with Parker Bowles in the 1970s, before Queen Camilla’s romance with King Charles III became known.
Despite their close relationship, marriage was ruled out owing to his Catholic faith – a crucial issue for a member of the Royal Family, considering that the monarch is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England.
This amorous past complicated Princess Anne’s perception of Queen Camilla, who later became a significant character in King Charles III’s life. Their shared history with Parker Bowles created an uneasy dynamic, making it impossible for the two women to develop a comfortable relationship.
Princess Anne reportedly kept her distance from Queen Camilla from the start, giving her the cold shoulder as she rose in prominence at royal functions. This icy approach disturbed the Queen, who struggled to negotiate Princess Anne’s forthright and frequently aloof manner.
While those who had met the Princess Royal over the years recognized her serious temperament, Queen Camilla struggled to break through the chilly welcome, making her encounters with the Princess Royal uncomfortable.
The conflict was not restricted to Queen Camilla. Princess Anne was noted for keeping her distance from other women who joined the royal family, such as Diana, Princess of Wales, and Sarah, Duchess of York.
Princess Diana and the Duchess of York both experienced Princess Anne’s chilly indifference, indicating that her approach to newcomers was frequently influenced by caution and reserve.
Princess Anne’s Scandalous Remark and Brutal Prediction About Queen Camilla’s Future
When Queen Elizabeth II died in September 2022, it marked a watershed moment in the British monarchy. The crown was promptly given to King Charles III, who became the nation’s new monarch.
Queen Camilla, as his wife, naturally assumed the title of Queen Consort. Their official coronation took place on May 6, 2023, at Westminster Abbey. Queen Camilla was crowned alongside her husband, marking a significant step in her transition from royal outsider to pivotal position in the monarchy.
However, the changeover was not without controversy, notably among the royal family. For years, stories indicated that Princess Anne had serious misgivings about Queen Camilla’s future role. Princess Anne was reportedly vehemently opposed to Queen Camilla obtaining the prestigious title of Queen.
She reportedly predicted that Queen Camilla will never be considered a “true queen.” In May 2023, David Emanuel, the designer of Princess Diana’s famed wedding gown, disclosed alarming details regarding a dispute between Princess Anne and Queen Camilla.
According to Emanuel, tensions rose over a meal following the coronation. At this gathering, Princess Anne reportedly questioned Queen Camilla’s choice to eliminate “Consort” from her title and refer to herself solely as “Queen.”
Emanuel stated that Queen Camilla initially requested to be referred to as Queen Consort. However, she “suddenly” began going by Queen. Though the alteration was legally approved, it did not sit well with some in royal circles.
Emanuel remarked that the issue was “very difficult” since “a lot of people” had informed him that they were upset with the decision. Emanuel then disclosed that a widely circulated tale from numerous sources claimed that during the coronation meal, Princess Anne made her thoughts on the subject clear.
According to Emanuel, the Princess Royal frankly told Queen Camilla, “You’re not the Queen; you’re the Queen’s Consort,” resulting in a “big showdown.” Emanuel reportedly admitted that the scenario was “emotionally charged” and that there was “a lot of stuff” going on at the time.
Princess Anne and Queen Camilla’s Relationship Now
The chilly relationship between Princess Anne and Queen Camilla gradually softened, with both women finding common ground in their devotion to the monarchy.
While their early years were fraught with friction and estrangement, time and shared responsibilities within the royal family helped Princess Anne soften her stance.
According to royal insiders, Princess Anne’s initial mistrust grew into respect when she saw how hard the Queen worked to carry out her royal duties. Princess Anne gradually came to appreciate Queen Camilla’s passion to helping King Charles III and the monarchy, resulting in a more cooperative relationship.
Princess Anne and Queen Camilla are both well-known for their perseverance and dedication to their jobs in the royal family. When King Charles III and Kate, Princess of Wales’ cancer illness became public in 2024, they were forced to temporarily withdraw from some of their royal duties.
In their absence, Queen Camilla had a more prominent role, exhibiting her strength and loyalty. The Queen’s willingness to take on new responsibilities demonstrated her strong dedication to assisting her husband during this difficult time.
This was a characteristic Princess Anne could not ignore. As Queen Camilla rose to the occasion, Princess Anne, one of the royal family’s most hardworking members, also stepped up.
Princess Anne, known for her hard work ethic, has long been a dependable member of the royal family. Known for her quick wit and no-nonsense demeanor, she has continuously demonstrated her devotion to the crown, even as her position within the family has changed.
Following the dea:th of Queen Elizabeth II, the royal family faced emotional loss as well as greater obligations.
While King Charles III’s fate as ruler was always evident, Princess Anne’s role became more defined upon her mother’s death. She took up a critical role in the family’s public image and internal structure.
As fears about His Majesty’s health mounted, so did the Princess Royal’s status within the royal family. She proved to be a consistent and covert supporter of her brother, ensuring stability throughout turbulent times.
Her intimate knowledge of King Charles III’s upbringing and personality, along with her unwavering desire for his success, made her an invaluable ally during this time.
Former BBC Royal Correspondent Wesley Kerr OBE revealed, “She is the person The King has known longest. Anne is wise, intelligent, incredibly plugged into the modern United Kingdom.”
“She understands completely who and what has shaped him and is eager for him to succeed: for the sake of their beloved mum and dad and the country and Commonwealth. In other words, she has the perfect perspective and characteristics to shoulder some of the King’s responsibility at this time,” he continued.
While Queen Camilla became more public-facing, Princess Anne maintained a regular presence, juggling the conflicting responsibilities of supporting her brother personally and completing her public duties with typical precision.
In recent months, Princess Anne’s dedication to her duties has been on display. In early August, ahead of her 74th birthday, the Princess Royal attended the 2024 Paris Olympics and distributed medals.
Princess Anne attended a variety of sporting events while in Paris and Marseille, including rugby sevens, swimming, rowing, and others. Princess Anne is the President of the British Olympic Association and has a long history with the Games.
The gradual warming of relations between Princess Anne and Queen Camilla serves as a testament to how time, shared duty, and mutual respect can bridge even significant divides.
While their early years together were fraught with tension, the two women eventually came to appreciate each other’s strengths and contributions to the monarchy.
