Prince William and Queen Camilla have much to ‘overcome’ but relationship thawing due to key reason
Ever since Prince William was introduced to Camilla Parker Bowles by his father, King Charles, back in 1998 during a break from Eton, there has been much speculation about the evolution of their relationship.
The introduction occurred when William, then just 17, returned home from the prestigious boarding school for the weekend and met the woman who would eventually become his stepmother at Clarence House.
Royal expert Christopher Andersen, author of The King: The Life of Charles III, told Us Weekly that the now Queen Consort was “shaking like a leaf,” during the meeting. “As soon as William left, she said she needed a gin and tonic.”
Prior to this formal introduction, both William and his younger brother Harry knew Camilla as the ‘other woman’, due to her infamous affair with their father during his marriage to Princess Diana. Camilla herself was married to Andrew Parker Bowles at the time.
After their respective divorces and the tragic death of Princess Diana in August 1997, Charles and Camilla were able to openly pursue their long-standing romance, eventually announcing to the world that they were officially a couple.
Since that pivotal meeting, the relationship between Camilla, 77, and William, 42, has been complex, though it appears to have softened over the years.
This summer, it emerged that Prince William decided to cut ties with Camilla’s sister Annabel Elliot, who had been working on the Duchy of Cornwall’s payroll for nearly two decades as Charles’ principal interior designer.
Christopher Andersen explains that while this move might have stirred some family tension, it was never intended as a “snub” It was an “inevitable” business choice because “William wants his own team in there,” he stated.
Despite potential friction, Camilla and William’s relationship has seen improvements recently, especially since both King Charles and Princess Kate were diagnosed with cancer and are undergoing treatment.
A friend of the Parker Bowles family disclosed, “William has warmed up to Camilla over time,” and another insider noted that they now share “a familial relationship these days.”
“There’s a lot to overcome,” the insider remarked. William and Harry’s deep loyalty to their mother led to a longstanding distrust and resentment towards Camilla, making it difficult for them to truly open up to her.
However, following Prince Harry‘s step back from Royal duties in 2020, William has made significant progress in fostering a friendly bond with his stepmother. The source added: “It brought them closer,” as William and Kate aimed to steer clear of any further “drama”.
