Camilla and Charles have been on-off lovers since they first met in the Seventies. The pair continued their affair throughout both of their marriages, but eventually wed in 2005. As both had been married before and Charles’ previous wife, the late Princess Diana, had been the nation’s sweetheart, it was expected to be a controversial event and fear played on Camilla’s mind the morning of the ceremony.

Writing for Vanity Fair in 2018, biographer Penny Junior explained how “on the day itself it took four people coax Camilla out of bed”.

She had been suffering from sinusitis all week and so was already feeling under the weather.

Yet, as Ms Junor explained, “it was nerves more than sinusitis that kept her under the covers”.

The royal expert added: “She was terrified.”

One of those who supported her in the week leading up to the big day included Lucia Santa Cruz, the friend who had introduced Camilla to Charles back in the Seventies – she had brought homemade chicken soup and forced Camilla to eat it in an effort to make her feel better.

The friend told Ms Junor how Camilla “literally couldn’t get out of bed” and had been “really ill, stressed” in the lead-up to the big day.

When the wedding day finally arrived, her sister Annabel and her daughter Laura tried to encourage Camilla out of bed, as did her dresser Jacque Meakin and Joy the housemaid, but it proved ineffective.

It was only when her sister provoked her that Camilla finally found the courage to get up.

Annabel reportedly taunted her sister and said: “OK, that’s all right.

“I’m going to do it for you. I’m going to get into your clothes.”

Camilla then quickly got into her wedding outfit. 

Ms Junor explained: “She looked endearingly frightened when she stepped out of the car with Charles and waved briefly before disappearing into the Guildhall at Windsor, but it was clear the crowd was on her side.

“Slowly, as the day wore on, she relaxed, reassured and supported as always by having her family around her.”

The event itself took place in a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall.

It was a private event and a stark contrast to the lavish ceremony between Diana and Charles back in 1981, which gathered a TV audience in the millions.

The civil ceremony was not even attended by the Queen herself. Her biographer Robert Hardman said it was because of her “disapproval of the arrangements, not of the marriage”.

Ms Junor commented: “I am sure that’s true, but I can’t help thinking it was rather sad for Charles.”

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The Queen and Prince Philip attended the religious part of the service – at St George’s Chapel and held a reception party for them in Windsor Castle.

It is not yet known if Camilla will be known as Queen when Charles ascends the throne.

Many royal commentators believe the Duchess of Cornwall has never wanted to have such a high status.

Royal biographer Christopher Wilson claims Camilla never intended to marry Charles when they first started their affair.

Speaking to 2017 Channel 4 documentary, ‘The Royal House of Windsor’, he said: “Camilla saw life as Charles’ mistress as a bit of fun and a thing that would never be made public, and would continue for as long as she was sexually active.

“I don’t think there was ever any ambition on her part to advance herself to become the wife of the Prince of Wales.”

Indeed, Ms Junor pointed out how upon marrying Charles, Camilla was effectively promising to dedicate the rest of her life to “obligation, duty and hard work”.

However, back in 2005, that was all far from Camilla’s mind.

Ms Junor said: “On that joyous day in Windsor, she was just happy to have got through it without anyone throwing an egg at her.”

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