Queen Camilla, the wife of King Charles III, has been affectionately dubbed “the lady boss” by aides at Clarence House, according to royal author Hilary Rose.
The nickname reflects her growing influence within the royal household since her coronation alongside Charles in May 2023.
The moniker stands in stark contrast to the late Queen Elizabeth II’s initial reservations about Camilla, whom she once referred to as “that wicked woman”.
However, the relationship between the two royals eventually warmed, leading to Elizabeth’s “sincerest wish” in 2022 for Camilla to assume the title of Queen Consort upon Charles’s ascension to the throne.
Hilary Rose’s book, ‘The Secret Diary of Queen Camilla’, sheds light on this transformation.
The change in dynamic led to Queen Elizabeth II’s public endorsement of Camilla as future Queen Consort, a far cry from her earlier misgivings.
Queen Camilla has become a popular figure among the royal householdPA
This shift in perception was not limited to the royal family. Camilla’s composed demeanour during recent royal controversies has earned her widespread respect.
Her ability to navigate complex family dynamics with grace has solidified her position within the monarchy.
Camilla’s resilience and strong sense of duty have not gone unnoticed. The Marchioness of Lansdowne praised these qualities in an interview with The Sunday Times, highlighting how they have served the Queen well in her royal role.
Tina Brown, in her book ‘The Palace Papers’, suggested that if Camilla had a family motto, it would be “thou shalt not whine”, emphasising her stoic approach to royal life.
A friend of Camilla’s noted that she has succeeded “just by being herself”
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A friend of Camilla’s, quoted in the Daily Mail, noted that she has succeeded “just by being herself”.
They added that Camilla is neither easily manipulated nor prone to dramatic outbursts.
Royal nicknames have long been a tradition within the British monarchy, offering a glimpse into the personal lives of the Windsor family.
Prince William, for instance, was affectionately called “Wombat” by his late mother, Princess Diana, a moniker that originated during a family trip to Australia.
William’s wife, Kate, was known as “Squeak” in her school days, sharing the name with her childhood guinea pig.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have their own set of endearing nicknames, often referring to each other simply as “H” and “M”.
Even young Princess Charlotte has a diminutive, with her mother Kate reportedly calling her “Lottie”.
