Queen Camilla has come a long way as she was once one of the most criticized members of the British Royal Family. However, her public image has changed dramatically over the years. Now, a royal expert believes this transformation could be one of the palace’s biggest PR successes in recent history.
Queen Camilla’s reputation has shifted dramatically since her years of intense royal backlash says Royal Expert
During the latest episode of ITV’s Talking Royals podcast, royal editor Chris Ship and host Charlene White explored how public opinion of the women who married into the Windsor family has evolved over the years.
Ship pointed to Camilla’s transformation in particular, saying she went from being “the most hated woman in Britain” to becoming one of the more respected members of the Royal Family.
Camilla faced intense backlash throughout the 1990s and early 2000s because of her relationship with King Charles, who was then Prince Charles, during his marriage to Princess Diana. Her public image was so difficult at the time that she often tried to avoid photographers.
Chris Ship recalled how Camilla was sometimes driven away from her home while hiding under a blanket to escape the paparazzi. Her son, Tom Parker Bowles, recently described that period as an “incredibly dangerous” time.
According to Ship, Camilla’s years of charity work and her steady support for Charles have played a major role in changing how people see her. She has focused on causes including domestic violence awareness and literacy while continuing to support the King in his royal duties. Ship now describes Camilla as “the linchpin holding the entire institution together,”. This highlights just how much her role and reputation have changed.
White also pointed to Camilla’s transformation. She called it one of the most remarkable PR turnarounds in recent history.
Royal author Simon Vigar agreed that public opinion toward Camilla has softened considerably. He noted that people once blamed her for much of the turmoil surrounding Charles and Diana’s marriage and divorce. But decades later, attitudes appear to have changed. “Time’s a great healer,” Vigar said.
Camilla may never be the most popular royal. And Ship acknowledged that she knows she is unlikely to reach the very top of popularity polls. However, according to Vigar, the Queen is perfectly comfortable with that.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT QUEEN CAMILLA’S REMARKABLE CHANGE IN PUBLIC OPINION?
Originally reported by Deepshikha Sarkar for Mandatory
