Why Camilla Parker Bowles Is Key To Prince Charles' Future Reign As King

The British public may have labeled Camilla Parker Bowles as the “other woman” in Prince Charles’ marriage to Princess Diana. But over the years, her image has become a positive force in the life of Prince Charles. In fact, royal experts believe that she is key to Prince Charles’ future reign as king.

Prince Charles’ image significantly dipped after his secret affair with Camilla during his marriage to Princess Diana was exposed to the public. Although he was able to redeem himself years later, he remains one of the least popular members of the royal family. Luckily for him, there is Duchess Camilla to help make him a little bit more likable.

Camilla, now the Duchess of Cornwall, has emerged from being one of the most hated to being one of the most loved members of the royal family. She is well loved not just by the British public but by journalists as well, earning praises for being as effective outside the spotlight as she is when everyone is paying attention.

“I think she’s fabulous,” British journalist Lynn Faulds Wood said. “I’ve met her many times and she’s great at bringing this to people’s attention. The very first time I met her she said to me, ‘Oh, I’m having trouble with my builders.’ She’s very natural,” she added.

Many also compliment Camilla for being a fun-loving yet responsible royal ambassador, doing secret visits and doing things that get no publicity. This is one thing about Camilla that not many people can see and that many find surprising, considering how people used to associate her name to being a home wrecker.

When Camilla married Prince Charles in 2005, she knew how people hated her. However, she confidently took on her new role as a duchess and learned the ropes of being a royal. Fourteen years later, being a patron or president of more than 90 charities and attending royal engagements are now an indispensable part of her system, and she considers her role an important part of her life.

“In just going out there and being herself, she has turned her public image around from being one of the least popular royals to one of the most accepted,” a royal correspondent said.

Although Camilla is not as often on the front page as the royal family’s Fab Four, her role is destined to become even more prominent in the future. All of her achievements from the time she married Prince Charles have prepared her for the inevitable moment when her husband will finally reign as king.

One day her position will be by the side of the King of England, and her positive image will play a big part in the shift in public perception. “The Prince of Wales that we see today would not be the man that he is, the future king that he is, without the woman that he clearly loves,” a royal expert said.