Since becoming Queen Consort, Camilla has wielded her influence over the British royal family with a delicate hand. While she may not have been a disciplinarian, her subtle guidance has played a role in keeping Prince William and Prince Harry in line, according to royal commentators.
Royal author Christopher Andersen, speaking to Fox News Digital, highlighted how Camilla, King Charles’ “darling wife,” has never shied away from offering her perspective on the behavior of the late Princess Diana’s sons. “Camilla is certainly no disciplinarian,” Andersen remarked. “That said, she is also known to whisper in the king’s ear about what she sees as William’s and Harry’s shortcomings.”
This quiet influence was illustrated in a recent account from royal author Robert Jobson, in his book Catherine, Princess of Wales. Jobson recounted a moment when Camilla took charge during a minor royal mishap. When Prince William and Catherine (Kate Middleton) delayed King Charles during an official engagement, Camilla made a pointed decision. “When Charles was kept waiting several minutes for the couple, Camilla insisted they go without them,” Jobson revealed. “As William and Catherine emerged, all they could see were the blue flashing lights of the motorbikes disappearing in the distance.”
Such incidents, according to Jobson, were part of Camilla’s subtle strategy to remind William of the royal hierarchy. Yet, despite these quiet admonishments, Andersen emphasized that the relationship between Camilla and William has remained amicable. “William was very cordial to Camilla, and their relationship has always been civil,” Andersen noted, attributing this harmony to Camilla’s “shrewd” approach of avoiding direct confrontation with William.
Andersen also pointed out that Camilla’s influence has its limits, particularly when it comes to her role as a mother figure. “The fact is, despite her earthly reputation, Camilla is not a mom type. She was never a hands-on mother with her own children and certainly would not have interfered in Charles’ relationship with his children,” Andersen explained.
In navigating the complexities of royal family dynamics, Queen Consort Camilla has clearly chosen a path of quiet influence—offering guidance without overstepping boundaries. This approach has allowed her to maintain cordial relationships within the family while subtly shaping the behavior of the future king and his brother.
