MANY HAPPY RETURNS: 'THEY HAVE A REAL AND LOVING PARTNERSHIP'

AS THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL TURNS 75, WE LOOK AT HER ENDURING BOND WITH HUSBAND CHARLES

- SAMUEL MCMANUS-MAXWELL AND CLARE FISHER

Few unions have been subject to as much scrutiny or sparked as much intrigue as the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall's. Their path to wedded bliss has been anything but smooth and it took the public a long time to accept Camilla as Charles' partner following the death of his much-loved first wife Diana, Princess of Wales.

But as Camilla reaches her milestone 75th birthday, their partnership looks stronger than ever.

Royal expert Jennie Bond tells OK! the relationship between the duke and duchess is one that is "secure and comfortable", which was demonstrated in last week's documentary Camilla's Country Life, to tie in with her guest editorship of the title.

On the show, Camilla revealed her competitive streak, hinting she hopes the issue of the magazine that she has guest-edited, and is cover star for, will outsell her husband's - the biggest-selling edition in the magazine's history.

Editor Mark Hedges explains, "She's whispered it quietly, but the last time her husband guest-edited, it became the biggest-selling issue in Country Life's 125-year history. I think she has a sneaky ambition to outdo him, so we'll see how it goes."

Jennie explains, "That kind of teasing rivalry only happens in a relationship which is secure and comfortable.

"There was real rivalry and petty jealousy between Charles and Diana, but Camilla has always made Charles feel like the most important part of the partnership.

Theirs is a real and loving partnership in which he depends on her probably more than she depends on him." The recent ITV documentary, in celebration of her birthday, offered an unprecedented insight into Camilla's remarkably normal home life. The show lifted the lid on the Queen Consort-to-be's dry sense of humour and cheeky spirit - evidenced by her dogs posing in pearl necklaces for an image used inside Country Life.