Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, 72, finally became a member of the Royal Family after decades of close friendship with her now-husband Prince Charles. However, the newly anointed Duchess got off to a tricky start. Camilla was famously the “third person” Princess Diana blamed for the breakdown of her and Prince Charles’s marriage and this left a lasting impression on the British public.

Camilla was branded a marriage breaker by critics and this label became even more entrenched following Princess Diana’s tragic death in a car crash in 1997.

While Prince Charles and Camilla were both divorced at the time of Diana’s death the tragic circumstances meant they did not deem it appropriate to marry until years later.

As well as public opinion being against Camilla at the time of Diana’s death, biographer Penny Junor has claimed Queen Elizabeth II also had her doubts about the match.

In 2017 Ms Junor wrote in the Daily Mail: “The Queen had wanted her gone before Diana’s death and felt no differently after it.”

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She added: “Her private secretary, Sir Robert Fellowes – who was also Diana’s brother-in-law – strongly reinforced her view.”

She added: “It was nothing personal.

“She had been very fond of Camilla in all the years she had been married to Andrew Parker Bowles – but it was Camilla who had been responsible, wittingly or not, for all the disasters that had befallen Charles since his marriage.”

However, by 2005 public feeling against Camilla had begun to turn and she and Prince Charles were finally married in a civil ceremony at Windsor Guild Hall in 2005.

While neither the Queen nor Prince Philip attended the ceremony they did show up to the reception.

Since then Camilla has achieved what was seemed unimaginable and become one of the most highly-regarded and reliable members of the Royal Family, particularly at this difficult time.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Express.co.uk: “With attention mainly focused elsewhere it is extremely significant that the Duchess of Cornwall, once so controversial, has become such a highly regarded and indispensable senior member of the royal family.”

He claimed Camilla provides Prince Charles with vital support and that he “loves her dearly.”

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Mr Fitzwilliams added: “There is no doubt whatsoever that she sees her main function to support Charles, who loves her dearly.

He claimed Camilla’s “unshowy” approach to royal duty makes her an exemplary royal.

He added: “They work extremely well as a team both at home and abroad and this is a time when the royal family need senior members who are hard-working and unshowy.

“Her charitable work is very significant.

“He family was badly affected by osteoporosis which she has championed, her help for victims of rape and sexual abuse has been high profile and she has also championed causes linked to literacy and animal welfare and has numerous patronages.”

According to Mr Fitzwilliams, Camilla has undergone a transformation since first joint the Firm.

He also doubted reports Camilla plans to take the title of Princess Consort rather than Queen Consort when Charles ascends the throne.

Mr Fitzwilliams said: “She has become popular though there remains strong resistance to her becoming Queen Consort when Charles succeeds to the throne, Clarence House website now makes no mention of her being Princess Consort, which remains the official position, though historically this is nonsensical.”

The royal expert added Camilla’s approachable persona has won round the public and thatch sets a fine example to royal family members during “an extremely difficult period.”

He said: “She has developed a persona that is warm and approachable and has considerable charm too.

“She is also stylish and her outfits and millinery reflect this.”

“This is an extremely difficult period for the monarchy and she sets an example which is both conscientious and supportive and which is widely appreciated by the public.”

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