As the pressure mounts for Queen Camilla preceding King Charles' coronation, sources reveal that she has gathered a strong network of supporters to ensure her moment in the spotlight remains untarnished. With King Charles fully concentrated on the historic event, Camilla has turned to her closest allies for support, including her children Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes, ex-husband Andrew Parker Bowles, and younger sister Annabel Elliot.
On May 6, Tom, 48, is reportedly responsible for preventing his stepbrother, Prince Harry, from creating further issues for his mother. According to a palace insider, Tom is deeply upset over Prince Harry's negative portrayal of Camilla in his book Spare. The Parker Bowles family was particularly shaken by Harry's description of his stepmother as a "villain."
"Tom is rightfully furious at Harry," the source said. "He, more than anybody, witnessed firsthand all the hell Camilla went through – decades of being hated by the public and the press."
The strained relationship between Camilla and her stepson Harry has also impacted her daughter Laura, 45, who was once believed to be close with her stepbrother. Tom's public defense of his mother earlier this year is a testament to the depth of his hurt, insiders say.
In April, Tom told the UK media, "I think change happens, but I don’t care what anyone says – this wasn’t any sort of endgame. She married the person she loved, and this is what happened."
Royal insiders acknowledge that Camilla's relationship with Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has been strained leading up to the coronation. Palace insiders say Camilla often refers to Meghan, 41, as 'Professor Meghan' due to the American actress's know-it-all demeanor.
Camilla's ex-husband Andrew, 83, is also said to be in "complete protection mode" over his former spouse. Despite divorcing in 1995, the pair remain close. "They are joined at the hip," a friend said. "They have lunch together – he was always, and still is, Camilla’s co-conspirator. Through adversity, they’ve kept a really good family ethic. It helps with their children and grandchildren."
For the coronation, Camilla has chosen to forego the centuries-old tradition of having ladies-in-waiting. Instead, she will be accompanied by "Queen's companions," including her younger sister Annabel, 74, and close friend Lady Fiona Lansdowne. These women have been dubbed "Camilla’s close army" by sources.
Lady Lansdowne has been outspoken about her commitment to defending her friend. In an interview with The Sunday Times, she mentioned that Harry's comments had hurt Camilla but that she refuses to let them affect her.
As the coronation approaches and the Queen Mary's Crown is set to adorn Camilla's head, Prince Harry would be wise to steer clear.