Sandra Chapman: She will wear the Royal Jewels but who would want to be in Camilla’s shoes?

Like many others I’ve been thinking of how this family of mine, which includes our latest acquisition a very excitable three year old cocker spaniel, can celebrate the big day, Saturday May 6. I should have my plans organised by now but I haven’t.

That admission is down to the fact, and I’m not pleased with myself for feeling this way - that I haven’t taken to Camilla. There is no one big reason for this. She may be the wife of our respected King, deserving of the people’s loyalty and respect; she has shown loyalty and devotion to her husband, gets on well I’m assuming, with her in-laws and the British media; so what’s not to like about Camilla?

Why can’t I warm to her given she has probably taken on one of the toughest roles a woman of her age could possibly tackle and hasn’t put a foot wrong yet.

I asked a few friends, all good middle class individuals who revere the Monarchy and their inclination showed a reluctance to say very much.

I put their reaction down to their wish not to speak to a journalist (even a semi-retired one as I am).

And no, I had no intention of prodding them further. I like them too much. As a group of friends we have an inclination towards privacy. That’s an age thing I suspect. The new Queen has taken on a massive role, much different to the relaxed one she had up to her 60’s. Are other women sympathetically wondering how she will possibly cope?

Those of us around her age (75 years) live a relaxed retirement and probably wouldn’t ever have contemplated taking on such a job. What’s she got the rest of us haven’t?

Is it because she’s English and has lived in and around a society which understands and respects hierarchy, particularly if it’s Royal? There’s a song Tina Turner made famous - `What’s love got to do with it?’ It was the first song to come into my head when the Royal engagement was announced.

Camilla is a mother and grandmother. Our late Queen and Queen Mother were both big influences in the life of King Charles and by all accounts he adored them both. I doubt he was looking for replacements for them but Kingship has the makings of a busy, but lonely life, not suitable at all for an attractive young lady of suitable background who enjoys night life and making her own decisions.

We live in a society which cannot be certain about anything not even the longevity of the Monarchy.

The SNP in Scotland sees itself as independent of the UK sometime in the near future. I doubt I will see this in my lifetime - but it surely is something King Charles has at the back of his mind. A headline recently suggested he `hasn’t inherited people’s deference for the late Queen’. That shouldn’t surprise us.

My late parents weren’t big followers of the Royal Family and as a consequence neither was their children. It took us years to know and understand what Monarchy was all about and that is what has been passed on to our subsequent children. The King knows he has to earn the loyalty of his people if the Monarchy is to survive. I’m certain his wife is well aware of that too. I wouldn’t be in their shoes, not even for the Crown Jewels.