LONDON – Duchess of Cornwall will celebrate her 75th birthday on Sunday with Prince Charlesa small family dinner
The big occasion follows the release of a documentary by British broadcaster ITV about the Duchess’s tenure as guest editor for Country Life, during which she helped produce a special edition celebrating the magazine’s 125th anniversary. In a personal tribute, Camilla chose her husband, Charles, as one of her rural heroes.
“It’s not easy to write about your husband,” she said in the film. “I cut through several pencils.”
The milestone birthday comes at a time when the monarchy and Camilla’s place in it are in a generational transition. As in 96-year-old Queen Elizabeth II , other members of the royal household are taking on new roles with greater responsibilities.
Six months earlier, Queen Elizabeth II, at her 70 years on the throne, expressed her “sincere desire” in a statement to have Camilla known as the “Queen Consort” when her son would become her heir. With those words, Elizabeth sought to answer once and for all questions about Camilla’s condition, which was initially dismissed by fans of the late Princess Diana, Charles’ first wife.
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, the Queen’s statement marked a major moment in Camilla’s transformation from a “third person” into a waiting wife in the marriage of Charles and Diana. The public has come to accept her in the years since 2005. After marrying Charles
she has had roles in over 100 charities focusing on a range of issues including promoting literacy, supporting victims of domestic violence. and people who have osteoporosis. Known for having a wicked sense of humour, she has softened the stuffy image of Charles and made the heir to the throne less remote and more accessible.
“I think there’s been an amazing transformation in terms of her public persona. She’s definitely been dressed up. … She can also look a touch glamorous at times,” says Royal Fever: The British Monarchy in Consumer Culture” writer Pauline McLaren said. “She’s always been very smart but appropriate for her age. She’s just not as sly-stuck as she used to be.”
Camilla pointed out her approach to royal life earlier this week during a champagne reception and Sea Bass lunch sponsored by The Oldie magazine, which marked her birthday. awarded to.
To the magazine’s target audience, the Duchess noted that she was born in 1947, the same year Elizabeth married her late husband, the Duke of Edinburgh. They paid tribute to him and resolved to follow his example.
“The Duke of Edinburgh’s philosophy was clear – look up, look up, say less, do more and get on with the job,” she said. “And that’s what I intend to do.”