Prince William and Queen Camilla’s bond has been further cemented by each having to face caring for a sick spouse, a royal expert has commented.
When details of the Royal Family’s yearly finances were published earlier this week, it was noted by several news outlets that Camilla’s sister, Annabel Elliot, had been taken off the Duchy of Cornwall payroll.
The Duchy was inherited by William after the previous Duke, King Charles, became monarch, although Marlene Koenig told Express.co.uk that the Duchy is a “business” and she “completed what she had been tasked with”.
Ms Elliot is an interior designer who was initially hired by Charles in 2005 to do some work in the Duchy, however it seems her services are no longer required.
This does not seem to have affected the relationship between William and Camilla, according to Ms Koenig, who spoke about the bond they had built up over the past 20 years.
She said: “I would say there is a respect between Camilla and William. He sees his father is happy with a wife who is devoted to him. He shares with Camilla the anxiety and fear of caring and loving a spouse with cancer. That is a major common equation.
“That respect went public during the Proclamation ceremony (Accession Council) the day after Elizabeth II’s death. William was behind Queen Camilla and reached out to help not miss a stair.
“Camilla has been in William’s life for far more years than he was with his mother. Camilla never made an attempt to be a mother to William or Harry, but Charles made it clear to everyone who mattered that his relationship with Camilla was non-negotiable.”
Ms Koenig noted that the passing of time has made it easier for William and his stepmother, adding: “Camilla is the Queen Consort. And William is the heir apparent.
“He knows his father and Camilla are devoted to each other – and Camilla has made Charles a far better person, which puts Charles and William in a better position with each other.
“William can also see that his father and Camilla are happy together, and he has that same happy relationship with his own wife.
“It has been many years since William was introduced to Camilla – life goes on and there is maturity and respect for each other and for their spouses.”
Charles and Camilla will be celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary next year, having tied the knot in Windsor on April 9 2005 with William in attendance.
This year both King Charles and Princess Kate have been diagnosed with cancer, no doubt leading to a time of great worry for Camila and William as their spouses underwent treatment.
Nevertheless the King has now made his return to public duties, with Kate also happily attending Trooping the Colour and the Wimbledon Men’s Singles Final.