QUEEN CAMILLA OR NOT?

Charles Wales, Duke of Rothsay, Duke of Kernow, (and a dozen or so other trinkets) is a man who is used to getting his own way. He always has. Raised largely by nannies under the watchful eye of his Edwardian grandmother, a woman for whom, in many ways, the realities of post war Britain had never happened, Charles is reputed to be far more “royal” than the Queen, demanding all manner of correctness in his company. He prefers people to bow to him, long after most royals have given that up, and demands that everyone, even his friends, call him Sir.

When he was married to Diana he was equally 'Edwardian' in his attitude. From day 2 of his honeymoon he was talking sweet nothings with his mistress Mrs Parker-Bowles, as if he were old King Edward, obliged to marry Princess Alexandra of Denmark for the sake of the succession.

Well, we all know what happened to that marriage, possibly because unlike Alexandra, Diana was a woman of the late 20th century who didn’t expect to overhear her husband arranging trysts with his paramour on their honeymoon. Needless to say Charlie boy was not about to give up having his own way and Diana could like it or lump it. With the rest of the royals on Charlie’s side, what could she do?

When she died Charlie was able to openly resume his relationship with the now conveniently divorced Mrs Parker-Bowles, and eventually, with rather too much haste for some people’s taste after the death of his grandmother, who would never have approved of one marrying one’s mistress (and her without a title), Mrs Parker-Bowles became Duchess Parker–Bowles.

In marrying in a registry office Charles broke all the rules of the church that he may one day head, but it seems that the rules about marrying of divorcees with a spouse still alive (Mr P-B is up and doing) is only for unimportant little people, and God allows royals to make their own rules, because the Archbishop of Canterbury, although he could not conduct the wedding, did come along and bless it, which surely is exactly the same thing.... but different.

So, because Mrs Parker-Bowles, sorry Duchess Parker-Bowles, was not overly popular with “the people”, it was announced (I imagine on the advice of Tony Blair to his mother) that when Charles became king, or rather IF he became king, the duchess should be known as Princess Consort.

It’s no great secret that Charles was reluctant to agree to this, but in order to get his way, he did. Now in an interview for American television, he has dithered about whether or not she will be known as, and presumably crowned, as Queen Parker-Bowles, despite not REALLY being married to him under the rules of the church of which, by that time, he will be head.

Now, frankly I don’t give a flying whatsit whether she is Queen Camilla, or Duchess Camilla or whether he divorces her and marries Peter Mandelson (that would serve Voldermort right), but I thought it would be interesting to find out what other people think, hence the new poll, our first for a long time...

What do you think?

Pics: (1). Ha ha ha! You’re all paying for this, oh yes, and I’ll have another million a year for Dartmoor Prison. (2) Bow damn you, you stupid plants; don’t you know who I am? (3) Yes, we know our necklace is squint, but our maid has gone to get us another refill. What are we expected to do? (4) Yes, I know my barnet is a bit of a mess, but now that I’ve got old Big Ears to pay for it, I’ll just get it done again. Anyway, I have to rush. My next holiday is due. Corfu with my friends I think, with Charles (well you) paying. Wicked!!