Queen Elizabeth II “never disliked” Camilla, according to a new book about Elizabeth’s relationship with her son, Charles.
Royal author, Ingrid Seward revealed that although the late Queen was wary of appearing in public alongside Camilla, it was not because she did not like her.
Seward states: “For a few years after Diana's death, the Queen had been wary of appearing at any event to which Camilla had also been invited.
“But she'd never disliked her.”
A new biography details the relationship between the King and her son Charles
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Following Princess Diana’s death there was a period of animosity toward Camilla and the then Prince Charles.
In 1997, a poll showed that 57 per cent of the British public had an unfavourable opinion of Camilla, which now sits at 53 per cent in favour from a poll following the Queen’s death.
After Diana’s death, the Queen hoped that Camilla would be accepted as Charles’s wife, but according to Seward, “the prospect frightened her.”
In an extract from her new book, My Mother and I, Seward explains how initially the Queen persuaded her son not to marry Camilla.
Following Diana's death public opinion was unfavourable of Camilla and Charles
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Seward wrote: “She persuaded Charles that it wouldn't be a good idea for them to marry, telling friends the prospect was 'farcical' and that it would never happen as he'd always put his duty first.”
But as public opinion continued to run against Camilla Parker Bowles, the Queen’s opinion shifted.
Seward revealed: “Public opinion was still running high against Camilla when the Queen decided enough was enough. Privately, she'd felt for some time that the couple should get married.
“Her feeling was that it was the only way to end the issue and stop what she called the 'cat and mouse' game the couple were playing.”
Ingrid Seward has said that the Queen "never disliked" Camilla in a new book
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Latest Royal News:
Charles and Camilla married on April 9, 2005
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On April 9, 2005, Charles and Camilla married in a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall following a brief engagement from February 2005.
According to Seward, “by then, she [Queen Elizabeth] was also convinced the marriage would prove the making of Charles – as a man, and eventually as King.”
The new book by Ingrid Seward is set to be released on February 15 and includes claims that the Queen thought Diana should have gone for her younger son, Prince Andrew.
The royal biographer has written more than a dozen book about the British Royal Family including The Queen’s Speech, My Husband and I and Prince Philip Revealed.