Queen Consort, Camilla has delivered a moving tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II, praising her mother-in-law for her commitment to duty while also reflecting on her “wonderful blue eyes” and “sense of humour”.
The pre-recorded message was aired on the BBC ahead of the Queen’s funeral as Britain marked a minute’s silence for the late Monarch.
The Queen Consort claimed that the Queen “has been part of our lives forever” and that she “can’t remember anybody except the Queen being there” before contemplating on how the Monarch “carved her own role”.
“It must have been so difficult for her being a solitary woman, and there weren’t women Prime Ministers or women Presidents, she was the only one, so I think she carved her own role,” she said.
“She made a rule that she had her private time and her private passions and then her public role and I think that is very important that, you know, the diary is planned out so you know when you’re on duty and when you’ve got to do things. Then when she went up to Scotland in August, you know that was the moment where it was her enjoyment.
“Although, she was probably working, you know with her red boxes throughout, she could have her family to stay, she could do the things she loved.”
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Later in the tribute, Camilla opened up about a wedding day mishap that perfectly encapsulated the Queen’s “good sense of humor”.
“I remember coming from here, Clarence House, go to Windsor the day I got married when I probably wasn’t firing on all cylinders, quite nervous and, for some unknown reason, I put on a pair of shoes and one had an inch heel and one had a 2-inch heel,” she said
“So, I mean talk about hop-a-long and there’s nothing I could do. I was half way down in the car before I realized, and she could see and laughed about it and said, ‘look I’m terribly sorry.’ She had a good sense of humor.”
The Queen Consort fondly remembered the times she was able to spend with the Queen and to witness Her Majesty’s “genuine enjoyment” when they attended charity events together.
“I’ve taken her to some of my charities and to the Ebony Horse Club and to the Medical Detection Dogs and she loved both of them you know, it was real sort of genuine enjoyment and she asked lots of questions and it was very nice to take her to things which I knew she would enjoy,” she said.
“She’s got those wonderful blue eyes that when she smiles, they light up her whole face. I’ll always remember that smile, you know, that smile is unforgettable.”
Earlier this year the Queen revealed her “sincere wish” that Camilla would step into the role of Queen Consort when Prince Charles becomes King.
In a message issued by the Queen in February, the Monarch thanked the public, and her family for their collective support as she celebrates her Platinum Jubilee. The Queen went on to confirm what had long been speculated, that Camilla will become Queen Consort.
“And when, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me; and it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service,” the Queen wrote.