THE WOMAN WHO BECAME QUEEN

Deemed unsuitable by the palace, Camilla was always 'the one' for Charles

Their relationship sounds like the plot of a romantic novel. Prince meets girl; instant attraction ensues. But girl knows she’s not good enough for his family and while he’s off serving in the military, she marries someone else. Prince also marries someone else, but the marriage is doomed because he still carries a torch for his first love. Eventually, both marriages end, but they still can’t officially be together because the world (and his family) despise the woman he loves. They are in their fifties by the time they finally become husband and wife. Now, in their seventies, she’s Queen to his King. And it looks like they will get to live happily ever after.

In many ways, it’s a modern-day fairytale. And while there are still those who fi nd it hard to accept Camilla as Queen because of the hurt her affair with the King caused his first wife, Princess Diana, there’s no denying that the couple appear to be soulmates who make each other very happy.

Many royal writers who’ve been observing Charles for decades believe he’ll be a better king because he has Camilla by his side.

“I think Camilla has transformed Charles,” says biographer Penny Junor. “He is happier with her than he has ever been. She gives him confidence, and the support he has so desperately needed throughout his life and never truly found elsewhere.”

Their love story began back in 1970, when they were introduced by mutual friend Lucia Santa Cruz. Charles, then 22, was drawn to Camilla Shand, 24, because she was down-to-earth and natural, and had a great sense of humour.