THE QUEEN, CAMILLA & KATE'S - SECRET PACT!

Three generations of royal women band together to lead the monarchy

When Elizabeth became Queen W nervous young woman sought solace in the two women who knew her best - her mother, and her sister Princess Margaret.

Then, in the few decades since the deaths of both, Her Majesty found her inner circle largely consisted of men, including her husband Prince Philip, son Prince Charles and grandson Prince William.

But now, at almost 96, that's about to change. Last week, the Queen made a bombshell announcement that she wished for her daughter-in-law, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, to be known as Queen Consort when her son accedes to the throne, and sources say this is a sign she's reshaping the family.

"For the next three generations, Her Majesty is acutely aware that the sovereign will be a man," says a source. “She wants to ensure the women supporting them or raising them are feeling very much included in the future, so she called Camilla and Kate to Windsor Castle late last year for a bonding experience.

"The Queen wanted to encourage Kate and Camilla to become close so they have each other to lean on."