Camilla Parker-Bowles visits Manchester in green tartan suit

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The future Queen Consort visited Manchester today to view a collection of 12 portraits of domestic abuse survivors by award-winning photographer Allie Crewe. The ‘I Am’ exhibition was developed with the SaveLives charity, of which the Duchess is Patron. Camilla has long been an advocate for people affected by domestic violence and has committed to continuing her work when she takes on her new title.

Speaking on an episode of Woman’s Hour in February, Camilla vowed to fight against domestic violence for a “lifetime”.

The Duchess’ work with domestic abuse survivors is just one example of her contributions as a working royal. 

Royal biographer Tina Brown told the Washington Post last week that Camilla “hasn’t put a foot wrong” despite an “inconceivable” amount of abuse in the beginning of her public relationship with Prince Charles. 

Ms Brown said: “It’s actually almost inconceivable how much abuse Camilla took. 

“I mean, she was called hag, old bag, witch. I mean, these were the kind of words that were used about Camilla for years. 

“And when, of course, the dreaded Camillagate tapes leaked, the phone call between Charles and Camilla where he referred, unfortunately, to her as a certain kind of sanitary item.”

‘Camillagate’ dominated the front pages for days after a transcript of an affectionate conversation between Charles and his then-mistress was published.

During the exchange, the pair joked about “desperately” wanting to be together “all the time” and arranged their next meeting. 

They signed off the phone call by confirming how they love one another, and Charles even told Camilla: “Your great achievement is to love me.”

She replied: “I’d suffer anything for you. That’s love. It’s the strength of love.”

The tapes were released the year after Charles’ separation from his first wife, Diana, Princess of Wales, but were recorded three years earlier. 

Diana famously referred to Camilla as the “third person” in her marriage to Charles. 

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The Prince and Princess of Wales divorced in August, 1996. 

Tragically, Diana died just a year later in a car crash in Paris.

Ms Brown claimed that Camilla became “public enemy number one” following the death of Diana.

She said: “Camilla was the sort of ugly — you know, considered the ugly sort of force that had driven, you know, Diana into such pain and sadness, you know, I mean, the love that Charles had for her. 

“So, she then has to hide again. But again, stoically just waits it out and goes forth.”

35 years after they met, Charles and Camilla got married in a civil ceremony in Windsor. 

The Prince of Wales had gradually integrated the Duchess into public life, and according to Ms Brown, from her wedding day in 2005, Camilla fulfilled her new role.

Ms Brown said: “And from that moment [the wedding], really, that Camilla became the Duchess of Cambridge, she has not actually put — Duchess of Cornwall, I’m sorry — she really hasn’t put a foot wrong. 

“She’s been supportive. She’s been charming. She’s been hard working. 

“She’s taken on a lot of good appropriate causes like, you know, domestic violence for which he’s very authentically involved, has a book club, always there with Charles now on the royal tours. 

She added: “And he’s — she’s made him now — the best thing she’s done is to make him an unapologetically happy man. 

“And I mean, he’s transformed since he’s married Camilla, in fact, and that is her biggest service, essentially, to the monarchy so far.”

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