Camilla's journey to her current role came of Queen with no "grand plan" in the months and years following her wedding to the then-Prince Charles, a source has claimed.
She used Prince Philip as her example and embarked on a deliberately low-key programme of public engagements.
Camilla carefully selected patronages that would allow her to play a consciously supportive role to her husband.
The issue of her future title remained a background question, with Clarence House announcing it was "intended" she would be known as Princess Consort when Charles became king.
However, one Buckingham Palace source said that "no one there ever thought she would be anything other than Queen."
This was particularly important to the King, who felt strongly on the matter.
For Charles, it was about respect and equal treatment compared to his first wife, the late Princess Diana.
Camilla herself remained "sphinx-like" on the subject of her future title, refusing to discuss it even with family and friends.
One well-placed source emphasises: "She had never been pushing for it. Never in a thousand years. Some people have said, 'Oh, well, of course it was what she always wanted to become Queen'. But absolutely not."
Queen Elizabeth II's endorsement of Camilla as future Queen came with deliberate timing.
"Her Majesty felt that it was important that it came from herself. If she accepted and wanted this, there was a greater chance that the country would do too," a former royal aide explains.
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They added: "The timing was quite deliberate. She knew she had a terminal illness and wanted the loose ends to be tied up. She knew her time was limited."
The late Queen believed her daughter-in-law "hadn't put a foot wrong" in her royal duties, according to the royal source.
The insider said that Queen Elizabeth II felt Camilla "had proved herself to be a loyal and loving wife and had stepped up to the plate in terms of public duties."
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She used Prince Philip as her example and embarked on a deliberately low-key programme of public engagements.
Camilla carefully selected patronages that would allow her to play a consciously supportive role to her husband.
The issue of her future title remained a background question, with Clarence House announcing it was "intended" she would be known as Princess Consort when Charles became king.
However, one Buckingham Palace source said that "no one there ever thought she would be anything other than Queen."
This was particularly important to the King, who felt strongly on the matter.
For Charles, it was about respect and equal treatment compared to his first wife, the late Princess Diana.
Camilla herself remained "sphinx-like" on the subject of her future title, refusing to discuss it even with family and friends.
One well-placed source emphasises: "She had never been pushing for it. Never in a thousand years. Some people have said, 'Oh, well, of course it was what she always wanted to become Queen'. But absolutely not."
Queen Elizabeth II's endorsement of Camilla as future Queen came with deliberate timing.
"Her Majesty felt that it was important that it came from herself. If she accepted and wanted this, there was a greater chance that the country would do too," a former royal aide explains.
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They added: "The timing was quite deliberate. She knew she had a terminal illness and wanted the loose ends to be tied up. She knew her time was limited."
The late Queen believed her daughter-in-law "hadn't put a foot wrong" in her royal duties, according to the royal source.
The insider said that Queen Elizabeth II felt Camilla "had proved herself to be a loyal and loving wife and had stepped up to the plate in terms of public duties."
Find Out More...