The duchess, p.35
The Duchess, page 35
Sir Geoffrey Shakerley’s portrait, taken when she became patron of the National Osteoporosis Society in 1997, was the first image of Camilla that had not been snatched by a paparazzo. (Photograph by Geoffrey Shakerley for the National Osteoporosis Society)
The first photographs that told the world they were a couple, taken outside the Ritz in January 1999, had been carefully stage-managed. (© Tim Graham / Contributor, Getty Images)
The engagement that some thought could never happen was announced on the morning of 10 February 2005. (© Ian Jones)
They were finally married on 8 April 2005. Bruce Shand had told the Prince, ‘I want to meet my maker knowing my daughter’s all right.’ Clockwise from left: Prince Harry, Prince William, Prince Charles, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Tom Parker Bowles, Laura Parker Bowles, Bruce Shand, Her Majesty the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh. (© EMPICS Entertainment, PA Images)
Camilla didn’t just marry the man, she married the family – a large one, all of whom traditionally assemble on the balcony at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the Queen’s official birthday in June. (© Ian Jones)
But this select gathering during the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee was a strong indicator of how a pared-down monarchy might look in the future. Camilla, Charles, the Queen, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry. (© Anwar Hussein / Contributor, Getty Images)
Andrew, left, at Laura’s wedding with Tom and Prince William. However hard it might have been for William and Harry to accept Camilla, they have never had a problem with her children. (Private collection)
Camilla’s first joint engagement with her mother-in-law. Once the Queen had accepted that Charles was not prepared to relinquish Camilla, she embraced her into the family. (© Max Mumby/Indigo / Contributor, Getty Images)
Their first foreign tour as a married couple to America, ‘Diana’s heartland’, was a terrifying initiation. With George W. and Laura Bush on the White House lawn. The President said he had never seen such a big media turn out. (© Ian Jones)
Having a bit of fun with the media while in Uganda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. She regards the royal correspondents and photographers as friends, not enemies, and it pays dividends. (© Ian Jones)
Arriving in the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago in 2008. In every country they visit there is a red carpet and a fanfare waiting. It’s not how she used to travel. (© Ian Jones)
In Kosovo, 2016, Camilla was close to tears as she embraced men and women whose loved ones had vanished during the war in 1998–99. (© Sean Gallup / Staff, Getty Images)
Meeting Theresa May, then Home Secretary, on a visit to Rape Crisis South London. Rape and sexual violence has become a ‘pillar of interest’ for Camilla. (© WPA Pool / Pool, Getty Images)
The annual party for children and young people with life-shortening conditions to help decorate the Christmas tree at Clarence House. It is the highlight of everyone’s calendar. (© Ian Jones)
Reading and promoting literacy is another of Camilla’s ‘pillars of interest’ and greatest passions. She has always read voraciously herself. (© Ian Jones)
Having spent all her life around soldiers, Camilla relishes her honorary link to the military. 4th Battalion The Rifles reckon they have ‘the trendiest royal’. (© Ian Jones)
Catherine Goodman’s portrait of Harry Parker who, as a captain in 4th Rifles, lost both legs after being injured in Afghanistan. Camilla offered him a free course at the Royal Drawing School, which Catherine runs. It led to Harry becoming a professional artist and writer. (© Catherine Goodman, courtesy of the artist)
Not standing on ceremony: Lola Parker Bowles, Tom’s daughter and Camilla’s eldest grandchild, at St James’s Palace. (© Antony Jones/Contributor, Getty Images)
In her element, surrounded by children and grandchildren, and her ex. Adults from left: Harry and Laura Lopes, Camilla with Andrew behind her, Sara and Tom Parker Bowles. Children from left: Gus, Eliza, Louis Lopes, Lola and Freddy Parker Bowles. (Private collection)
The annual grandchildren’s party in the garden at Clarence House. Tom, Andrew and Peter Phillips, Princess Anne’s son, lend the twins a hand in the tug of war. (Private collection)
Camilla has transformed the Prince and brought laughter back into his life. (© Ian Jones)
One look says it all. (© Ian Jones)
Mark Shand with his brother-in-law on a futile mission to see elephants in Kerala. (© WPA Pool / Pool, Getty Images)
Mark’s sudden death in 2014 devastated the entire family. (© Max Mumby/Indigo / Contributor, Getty Images)
With Andrew and his second wife Rose, who sadly died in 2010. The three of them had been friends for decades – and Camilla and Andrew are still the best of friends. (Private collection)
Watching the tennis at Wimbledon with Lady Sarah Keswick. (© WPA Pool / Pool, Getty Images)
Tom and Laura bring normality to the circus that is royal life. She absolutely adores them and their children. (© Trinity Mirror / Mirrorpix / Alamy Stock Photo)
With Annabel Elliot, her sister, who is also key to her stability. She is so different from Camilla, but always there for her. (© David Hartley / REX / Shutterstock)
Camilla has proved to be extraordinarily good at the job – and no one is more surprised about that than she is. (© Ian Jones)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This is not in any way an authorised biography. My views and my conclusions are my own, based upon conversations with dozens of people and many years of researching and writing about the Royal Family. Like any biography of this sort, it is only ever as good as the people one speaks to. Many of them are named in the text; others are not but they have all been invaluable and huge thanks go to each and every one of them for giving up their time so generously and sharing their memories. I am also enormously grateful to those people who read and checked the factual accuracy of the manuscript for me.
Many, many thanks also to Shana and James Wilby, who now own The Laines, for showing me around their beautiful house and garden. Also to Roger Broadbent for showing me around his remarkable house which was formerly Dumbrells school. And to Jenny Kirkbride and Pippa Creed for making the introduction and with whom I had a lovely day in Ditchling.
Particular thanks also to Andrew Morton for generously allowing me to quote so extensively from his unique material in Diana: Her True Story – In Her Own Words, and to William Shawcross for going to great lengths to provide the photograph of their families’ outing to Newcastle so long ago. Also to Ian Jones for his wonderful images taken in more recent years – and John Stillwell for the snap of me with the Prince of Wales on our trip to the Balkans.
Huge thanks too to everyone at HarperCollins both in the UK and US who has helped bring everything together. In the UK, Arabella Pike, Lottie Fyfe, Julian Humphries, Katherine Patrick, Steve Gove, Zoe Shine and Arthur Heard. And in the US, Jonathan Burnham, Hannah Wood and Mary Gaule.
And to my agents, Jane Turnbull – a great friend for many years – and Daniel Conaway at Writers House, New York, a newer friend. And my husband, the wonderful James Leith, who makes everything possible, every time.
Last but not least, a big hug to William Yeoward for all his unfailing support and help, not just with my project but in safeguarding the NYB (my not-yet-born, very precious seventh grandchild), to whom this book is dedicated.
INDEX
The page numbers in this index relate to the printed version of this book; they do not match the pages of your ebook. You can use your ebook reader’s search tool to find a specific word or passage.
abdication crisis, 70
Adeane, Edward, 85
adultery, xi, 21–4, 68, 77–8, 119, 123–6, 138–9, 141, 153, 183, 189
Aga Khan, 241
Aitken, Kirsty, 43
Aitken, Sir Max, 49
Alba, Duke of, 28
Albemarle, 7th Earl of, 20
Albert, Prince, 272
Alexandra, Queen, 21–2
Ali, Nimko, 246
Alibar (horse), 73
Allende, Salvador, 6
Amber Trust, 231
Andrew, Prince, 66
Anmer Hall, Sandringham, 276
Anne, Duchess of Westminster, 115
Anne, Princess, 12–13, 39, 48, 63, 64, 74, 165
Ant and Dec, 278
The Archers (BBC Radio 4), 260
architecture and urban planning, xiii, 1–5, 228, 265; ‘monstrous carbuncle’ comment, 3; modernist movement, 15–16; and Thomas Cubitt, 19; Maggie’s Centres, 265, 266–7
Armstrong Jones, Sarah, 227–8
Asha Sadan (school/orphanage in India), 251
Askill, John, 120
Astor, Brooke, 174
Astrid, Princess Marie, 56
Australia, 65
Aylard, Richard, 113, 121, 123, 124–5, 126, 140–2, 144
Badminton House estate, 60
Bahamas, 49
Balmoral, 10, 73, 148, 149, 159, 268, 275; Parker Bowles couple at, 58, 72; Charles and Diana honeymoon at, 90, 91–2; Royal Family remain at after Diana’s death, 151, 152–3
Barbados, 47
Barran, Diana, 261–2, 263–4
Bashir, Martin, 138, 139
Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, 269–70
Beaufort hunt, 51, 60, 74, 101, 159
Becket, William, 24
Bellville Sassoon, 48
Benson, Carolyn, 136
Betjeman, John, 15, 136
Biarritz, 25
Birkhall on Balmoral estate, 163, 182, 216–17, 275
Black, Guy, 177
Blair, Tony, 151, 155, 191
Block, Grey and Block (wine firm), 18
Bloody Sunday massacre (1972), 11
bobsleighing, 28
Bolehyde Manor, 51–3, 58, 66, 73, 81, 100–1
Bolland, Mark, 141–3, 158, 166–7, 171–3, 176, 178, 182–3, 189; and death of Diana, 149–50; leaves job with Charles, 183–5; News of the World column, 186–7
Books Unlocked, 220
Bowes-Lyon, Lexi, 242–3
Bowood House, near Calne, 136, 146–7
Brassey, Antony, 100
Brassey, Hugh and Joyce, 51, 100
Brighton, 29, 31, 43, 44
British Asian Trust (BAT), 251
Brixton prison, 220
Broadlands, 10, 11, 12, 73, 90
Brooke (animal charity), 241
Brown, Harold, 185
Brown, Peter, 173
Brown, Tina, 202
Browne-Wilkinson, Hilary, 134, 141, 161
Browne-Wilkinson, Nico, 141
Buchanan, Elizabeth, 192
Buckingham Palace, 19, 79–80, 81–2, 83–4, 104, 165, 275; flag after Diana’s death, 151, 153; Queen’s Golden Jubilee at (2002), 177
Builders Arms, Cale Street, London, 46
Burgoyne, Richard, 44
Burnley, 5
Burrell, Paul, 185
Bush, George W., 204
Business in the Community, 125, 142, 221
Butler, Rab, 6
Cambridge, Catherine Middleton, Duchess of, 63, 72, 84–5, 226, 242, 278
Cameron, David, 251, 273
Cameron, Lady Cecil, 85
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Rothesay: friendly/warm personality of, x, xi, xiii, 9, 55, 129, 144–5, 158, 220, 250, 276; as strong character, x, xi–xii, xiii, 9, 55, 119, 207, 210, 278–9; groundedness of, xi–xii, 67–8, 174–5; caring and compassion of, xii, 228–9, 230–4, 236–7, 247; family as paramount for, xii, 53–5, 99, 113–14, 119–20; as advocate for women, xiii, 206, 213, 245–7, 249–52, 253–4, 260–1, 262–4; as emotional support for Charles, xiii, 5, 66, 71, 104, 107, 110, 115–19, 122, 157–8, 190, 277–8; passion for books and literacy, xiii, 15, 18, 215–22; charities supported by see charities supported by Camilla; Poundbury visit, 1–5; coming out party (March 1965), 7, 8, 46; dates Parker Bowles, 7, 8–9, 46; love for Parker Bowles, 9, 12, 49, 54; marries Parker Bowles (1973), 13, 48–51; confidence of, 14, 55; childhood, 14–15, 29–34, 35–9, 40–3; passion for horses, 15, 32–3, 40, 51, 61, 102; love of wine, 20, 213–14; love of the countryside, 32, 180; education of, 35–9, 40–3; early experiences with boys, 40, 43; finishing school in Switzerland and Paris, 44, 45; terror of lifts, 44; royal duties, 44–5, 197–8, 200–1, 202–4, 212–13, 225–6, 237–9, 252–4, 255–6, 258; and Swinging Sixties, 45–6; temporary jobs in 1960s, 46–7; birth of first child Tom (1974), 51, 58; and fox hunting, 51, 60–1, 99; life at Bolehyde Manor, 51–3; gardening as therapy, 53, 54; and Andrew’s serial unfaithfulness, 53–4, 55, 89–90; friendship with Charles after her marriage, 58, 59, 66, 75, 80–1, 85–6; love affair with Charles, 68–9, 70, 71, 157–60; as initially friendly with Diana, 73, 80–1, 121; Diana’s jealousy of, ix, 75, 82, 83, 85–6, 89, 90, 91, 110, 139, 170; avoids Charles and Diana, 85; at Charles’ wedding (1981), 89; grandchildren, 100, 201–2, 209, 233–4, 275; sells Bolehyde and buys Middlewick, 100–1; asked to talk to Charles (1986), 102, 103–4, 107, 110; phone call to Charles (1986), 104, 105; resumes friendship with Charles (1986), 107, 108–9, 110; relations with media, x, 108–9, 178, 200–2; becomes household name, 114, 119–20, 128, 136, 146; press harassment of, 114, 119–20, 129, 135, 136, 144; love affair with Charles during his marriage, 115–20, 123–6, 127, 133; black and white view of life, 122; divorce from Andrew (1994), 123, 127, 134–6, 147; painting classes at Sherston, 136–7; buys Ray Mill, 137–8; and Charles’ divorce, 140–1; Bolland’s work on public image, 142, 166–7, 171–4, 177–8; fiftieth birthday party at Highgrove, 143, 159; with Charles as divorcee, 143–6, 159–60, 163–7, 171–8; and death of Diana, 150, 156–7; car accident (1997), 159–60; personal staff, 160, 161–3, 164, 179–81, 212–13, 237–9, 251–2; meets Prince William, 163–5; first ever holiday with Charles, 165; ‘coming out’ as Charles’ escort, 171–8; and Prince’s office, 172, 173, 174–5; and Bolland, 173, 183–4; visits New York (1999), 173–4; lives with Charles at Clarence House, 181, 188, 189; and Fawcett, 186; Charles’ marriage proposal to, 190–3; marries Charles at Windsor, 194–9; fear of flying, 197, 238, 272; tour of USA (2005), 202–4; on love, 205; married life with Charles, 206–7, 208–10; and sycophancy, 209–10; and 4th Battalion The Rifles, 214, 220, 235, 236–7; and PR tactics, 224–5; Goodman portrait of, 227–9; tour of western Balkans (2016), 237, 252–4, 255–6, 258; tour of Pakistan, 240–1; death of brother Mark, 243–4, 278; and rape crisis centres, 249–51; future title of, 271–3, 278; Frank Field on, 273, 274–5; future official residence, 275
‘Camillagate’, 115–19, 120
Camm, Joy, 179–81, 212, 214, 238, 251–2, 254, 268
cancer care, 265–7
Carington, Hon. Virginia, 7, 47
Carling, Will, 138
Cassel, Sir Ernest, 25
Castle of Mey, 275
Cazalet, Hal, 244
Chailey Heritage school, 29, 230
charities supported by Camilla, 213, 277; patron of Emmaus UK, 44–5; patron of NOS, 146–8, 171, 178, 179, 213, 267–9, 276–7; patron of Beanstalk, 215; patron of BookTrust, 215; patron of First Story, 215; patron of National Literacy Trust, 215, 220–3, 277; patron of Wicked Young Writers’ Award, 215; president of Ebony Horse Club, 225–6; president of Amber Trust, 231; patron of Helen and Douglas House hospices, 231–3; president of Brooke, 241; Ideas Partnership (charity in Kosovo), 255–6, 258–9; SafeLives, 260–4; president of Maggie’s Centres, 265–7; president of Prospect Hospice, 269; patron of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, 269–70; patron of Foundation Years Trust, 273–4
Charles, Prince of Wales: adoration of Queen Mother, x–xi, 2, 63, 181, 182; as weaker than Camilla, x, 185, 191, 210; as not finely attuned to others, xii, 81, 86, 90–1, 96; as best prepared heir, xiii, 276; emotional sensitivity of, xiii, 1–2, 59, 64, 66–7, 107, 156, 226–7, 277; intellectual/cultural interests, xiii, 65, 67, 81, 105; workload, xiii, 83–4, 96, 145, 207, 237–9, 277–8; desire for parental approval, 1–2, 5, 107; relationship with parents, 1–2, 5, 10, 11, 63, 64, 66–7, 96, 125, 149, 165–6; and Poundbury, 1–5, 74, 130; accused of abusing his position, 4; visits Tottenham after riots, 5; early love for Camilla, 6, 11–12, 13; first meeting with Camilla (1971), 6, 9; shyness of, 9, 64, 157; military career, 9–11, 12, 49; love of flying, 10; and Mountbatten, 10–12, 56, 70–1; plays polo, 11, 58, 59–60, 61, 71, 72, 74; girlfriends of, 56–8, 68, 71, 85; friendship with Camilla after her marriage, 58, 59, 66, 75, 80–1, 85–6; as godfather of Tom, 58, 114, 163; leaves Navy (1977), 58; dates Sarah Spencer, 58–9; first meeting with Diana (1977), 59; and fox hunting, 59–60, 61, 99; nature of fame of, 61–2; at Gordonstoun, 64–6; talent for acting/mimicry, 65; The Old Man of Lochnagar, 66; spiritual side of, 67, 110; personal protection officers (PPOs), 68, 144, 160; love affair with Camilla, 68–9, 70, 71, 157–60; with Diana at Petworth (1980), 71; ensuring the succession, 71–2, 81; as susceptible to flattery, 72, 74–5, 78–9, 91, 206; courtship of Diana, 72–6; marriage proposal to Diana, 75, 78–9; terrible temper and tantrums, 81, 91, 92, 145, 157, 207; and Diana’s volatile/bizarre behaviour, 83, 84, 86, 90–2, 95–7; wedding (29 July 1981), 87–9; as amateur artist, 90, 96, 105, 137; way of life of, 90–1, 95–6, 145, 207, 208; honeymoon with Diana, 90–2; unhappy marriage to Diana, 90–2, 95–8, 99, 102–4, 105, 107–10; love of luxury and formality, 91, 96, 105–7; treatment of staff, 91, 106, 184–5, 186; upstaged by Diana, 95, 103, 156; loyalty to Diana, 97; breakdown of marriage to Diana, ix, xi, 102–4, 105, 107–10, 111–15; Camilla resumes friendship with (1986), 107, 108–9, 110; Diana’s media war against, ix, 109, 111–14, 121–2, 138–9, 153–4, 156; separation announced in Commons, 115; trip to Korea (1982), 115; ‘Camillagate’, 115–19, 120; love affair with Camilla during his marriage, 115–20, 123–6, 127, 133; and Dimbleby documentary, 123–6, 141; divorce settlement, 140–1; with Camilla as divorcee, 143–6, 159–60, 163–7, 171–8; and death of Diana, xi, 149–51, 152–4, 156–7, 226–7; return to work after Diana’s death, 157, 158–9; fiftieth birthday parties, 163, 165–6; first ever holiday with Camilla, 165; household scandals (2002–3), 185–7; as diffident and nervous, 189–90; marriage proposal to Camilla, 190–3; marries Camilla at Windsor, 194–9; married life with Camilla, 206–7, 208–10; and sycophancy, 207–8; tour of western Balkans (2016), 237, 252–4; tour of Pakistan, 240–1; in India (2013), 241–2
