Camilla: from ‘other woman’ to ‘saviour of the monarchy’

She joined him in rushing to Balmoral Castle in the north of Scotland when serious concerns were first raised about the Queen’s health, and has been by his side almost all the time since,.

Once the other woman in his marriage to Diana, the ex-royal mistress is now Queen consort, and will be crowned alongside her husband.

Anita Atkinson, a royal expert and memorabilia collector, told the PA news agency: “Historians in the future who look back on this time will realise that it was Camilla who saved the monarchy, because she saved the King.”

Those who know her have always spoken of her witty, warm, down-to-earth attitude and her fruity laugh.

Over these last days, the King will have leant on her good humour as he deals with the grief of losing his mother, as well as a tight schedule of formal public appearances in London, Edinburgh, Belfast and, later, Cardiff.

Charles used his first speech as King to praise his wife.

“I count on the loving help of my darling wife, Camilla,” he said. “In recognition of her own loyal public service since our marriage 17 years ago, she becomes my Queen Consort.

“I know she will bring to the demands of her new role the steadfast devotion to duty on which I have come to rely so much.”

Royal watchers say her relatively low-key public profile until later in her life will make Camilla, 75, a useful sounding-board for the King as she has a strong perception of ordinary life.

Since her marriage to Charles, she has gradually taken on more prominent royal roles, attending the State Opening of Parliament and riding next to the Queen in her Diamond Jubilee carriage procession.

She has undertaken charity work highlighting the problems of domestic abuse and sexual violence, as well as championing literacy and becoming patron of the National Osteoporosis Society – the condition which affected her mother and grandmother.