Queen Consort Camilla. | Prince William and Kate Middleton with their children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, and Prince Harry. | Source: Getty Images
Camilla discovered William's sparkly temper during the evolution of their relationship.
William made it clear that his kids have only one grandma.
William's relationship with Camilla reportedly differs from Harry's.
When Queen Consort Camilla entered the royal family, it was not on the best terms. The Queen Consort married King Charles III years after Princess Diana's death and after the King of England publically confessed to having an affair with her.
For this reason, the Queen Consort reportedly did not receive a warm welcome from King Charles' children, Prince Harry and Prince William.
Queen Consort Camilla in Philadelphia in 2017. | Source: Getty images
According to Irish Mirror, William initially was not always fond of his stepmother. But after Queen Elizabeth announced that Camilla would become the Queen Consort the day before her platinum jubilee, William was reportedly happy for her.
Irish Mirror reported that Prince William was not part of the discussion and decision regarding Camilla's title, but he respected his grandmother's call.
When King Charles married his Queen Consort, Irish Mirror revealed that William and his father did not have the best relationship.
Prince William and Queen Consort Camilla in London 2022. | Source: Getty Images
Although Irish Mirror revealed that William's relationship with King Charles and his wife is the best it has ever been, there were a few hurdles the family had to overcome to turn their relationship around.
King Charles and the Queen Consort distanced themselves from William and Harry at the beginning of their relationship. The couple reportedly went public with their relationship in the early 2000s but were only photographed with Harry and William in 2001.
According to the book "Prince William: Born to be King" by Penny Junor, Camilla did not try to become a new mother to her stepsons; she was instead "the other woman" taking their father's time.
King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla in London 2018. | Source: Getty Images
Therefore, it took a while for the Queen Consort to warm up to the boys. In another book, "Battle of Brothers," royal author Robert Lacey wrote that Camilla was taken aback when she discovered Prince William's temper.
In the early stages of their relationship, when the Queen Consort tried to build a relationship with William, Lacey wrote that Harry was open about his temper from time to time, but the surprise was "sweet William."
Lacey continued to write that, Camilla would open up to her friends and family about William's unexpected anger after King Charles and the Queen Consort tied the knot. She said, "'the boy's got a temper!'
Prince William , Prince George and Queen Consort Camilla in London 2022. | Source: Getty Images
Lacey added that the Queen Consort was "horrified" at how William would lash out at his father in her presence, but presently, the father-son relationship is reportedly "built on love, affection, and respect."
The father and son reportedly share their interests and passion for climate change, and the Irish Mirror reported that Prince William honored his father for the work he had done in this field.
According to Irish Mirror, this reconciliation was made possible by Kate Middleton. She reportedly invited King Charles to their house to spend time with his grandchildren, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
Prince Goerge, Prince William, King Charles III, Kate Middleton and Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in 2015. | Source: Getty Images
On the contrary, Irish Mirror also clarified that Prince William and the Queen Consort are not particularly close, but the Prince of Wales respects his father's wife, and King Charles is happy with Camilla in his life.
William & Camilla Are Blended Family Now
Over the years, the Queen Consort has managed to form strong relationships with the royal family members even though she might still be distanced from some.
Although Prince William respects Camilla and her position in his father's life, the Prince of Wales reportedly told his children that they only have one grandmother and two grandfathers, stated Express UK.
Queen Consort Camilla, King Charles III, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince William, Kate Middleton with their children George, Charlotte and Louis at Buckingham Palace in 2022. | Source: Getty Images
In the book "Camilla: From Outcast to Queen Consort" by Angela Levin, the author also stated that Prince William clarified that Camilla was his father's wife and not his children's step-grandmother.
However, Queen Consort seemed to know her place in her stepchildren's life because of her approach to getting close to them. Levin looked at how Camilla found a way to build relationships with her stepsons and grandchildren.
Levin first noted that when King Charles married his Queen Consort, William was 23 and Harry 20, which made Camilla more of a “friendly grown-up." They did not spend much time together besides the occasional royal events, wrote Levin.
Queen Consort Camilla and King Charles III in Wales 2018. | Source: Getty Images
Nonetheless, the Queen Consort was strategic with her approach towards Harry and William; Levin wrote that she chose to be "encouraging rather than influential."
The author explained that Queen Consort did not try to assert herself as the grandmother of Prince William's children because she knew that Middleton's parents were there to take on this role and were close to their grandchildren.
Regarding Prince William's children, a source told Express UK that Camilla has chosen not to involve herself in their lives as much.
King Charles III, Queen Consort Camilla, Prince William and Prince Harry in London 2017. | Source: Getty Images
Amanda MacManus, a loyal friend, ally, and private secretary to Camilla for almost 25 years, told Express UK why the Queen Consort chose this approach.
MacManus revealed that Camilla already had her children and grandchildren from her previous marriage with Andrew Parker Bowles and did not want to impose herself on anyone’s life.
Levin added that Prince William might not see Camilla as his children's grandmother, but the Queen Consort is said to love children, so having Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis around brings her extra joy.
Queen Consort Camilla, Kate Middleton, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Meghan Markle in London 2022 | Source: Getty Images
Express UK reported on the candid interview the Queen Consort had with British Vogue, which revealed that Camilla was close to her grandchildren. Queen Consort welcomed her first grandchild Lola in 2002 and told British Vogue that they loved playing Wordle together.
The Queen Consort said every day she texts Lola about their Wordle achievements, "She'll text me to say, ''I've done it in three,' and I say, 'Sorry, I've done it in two today,'" Camilla added.
Her second eldest granddaughter Eliza Lopes was born a year after Lola, but the Queen Consort told British Vogue that she was frightened when her granddaughters started experimenting with makeup, piercings, and hair colors.
Queen Consort Camilla with her children Laura and Tom Parker Bowles in London 2018. | Source: Getty Images
However, as she welcomed more grandchildren, she realized that she could learn from the younger generations the way they could learn from her, reported Express UK.
In 2009, the Queen Consorts' daughter, Laura, and her husband Harry Lopes welcomed twins, Louis and Gus, and later on, they had a son Freddy which made Camila a grandmother of five. The Queen Consort told British vogue that she enjoyed receiving texts from her grandchildren and learning from them.
Queen Consort Camilla in Tetbury, England 2020. | Source: Getty Images
Before the Queen's passing, King Charles, Queen Consort, Prince William, and Middleton held a royal event for foreign heads of state and overseas guests at Buckingham Palace, as stated by The Sun.
According to the Sun, the event was only for working royals so Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and Prince Andrew were not in attendance.
King Charles III, Queen Consort Camilla, Prince William and Kate Middleton in London 2022. | Source: Getty Images
But when the Prince and Princess of Wales were photographed with the King and his wife, fans felt that they were the new fabulous four now that Harry and Markle had stepped down. Besides being the new "fab four," they also held a united front as the royal family's future.
Harry's Relationship with Camilla Differs from William's
Prince William might have put his differences aside when it came to the Queen Consort, but Prince Harry is reportedly on the other side of the spectrum.
According to Page Six, a close source of the royal family revealed that William had made peace with Camilla and the connection she shares with his father, but Harry never accepted her and it does not seem like he will.
Prince Harry and Queen Consort Camilla in London 2015. | Source: Getty Images
The source told Page Six that this is because of the history that surrounds the Queen Consorts' introduction to the royal family. The Duke of Sussex will never forget that his mother, Princess Diana, could have been Queen and that Camilla was the reason behind his parent's divorce, Page Six reported.
Despite the hard work that King Charles has put into shaping and presenting Camilla's image as respectable and palatable to the British Public, Harry still does not believe his stepmother should be Queen stated the royal source.
According to Page Six's royal source, Harry did not agree with Camilla's new royal title. The Queen Consort was reportedly going to be given the title, Princess Consort, but Queen Elizabeth II decided otherwise.
Queen Consort Camilla and Queen Elizabeth II in London 2012. | Source: Getty Images
After the Queen announced her platinum jubilee, it was Prince Harry's first time not joining his family on the balcony. Page Six speculated that it was a difficult moment for the Duke of Sussex to watch his family celebrate from the sidelines.
Tina Brown, former editor of Vanity Fair and author of the book, "The Palace Papers," revealed that growing up Harry used to express his dislike for the Queen Consort with long silences and angry looks.
However, Express UK reported that Levin wrote in her book that the Queen Consort was always aware of Harry's stares and found them "unnerving" but said they got along.
Prince Harry in London 2019. | Source: Getty Images
The Queen Consort reportedly did not try to force Harry to like her but instead tried to understand the challenges he was facing as a young person and was supportive of him reaching out to her when the time was right.
Camilla kept up with not interfering in Harry's life and acting as his new mother; instead, she respected his boundaries. Lavin wrote that Queen Consort and Harry were friendly with one another but believed that Harry was and still is a lost soul trying to find himself.
As reported by Express UK, Levin also wrote a book about the "Duke of Sussex titled Harry: Conversations with the Prince" and Harry refrained from commenting on ever having a troubled relationship with his stepmother.
Queen Consort Camilla, King Charles III, Prince Harry and Prince William in London 2014. | Source: Getty Images
Instead, the Duke of Sussex said his the Queen Consort was never a bad stepmother to him and William; he said, "To be honest, she's always been very close to William and me. She's not a wicked stepmother."
Harry reportedly told Levin not to feel sorry for him and William but to direct those feelings to Camilla as she was about to step into a demanding royal role with more scrutiny.
Nonetheless, Levin wrote that Harry expressed that Camilla was a good woman that made his father happy. "William and I love her to bits," added the Duke of Sussex.
Queen Consort Camilla with Prince Harry and Prince William in Brentwood, England 2013. | Source: Getty Images
In recent years neither Harry nor the Queen Consort has spoken about the state of their relationship. It remains unknown if their connection has gotten stronger or weakened.
But, whether Prince Harry and his stepmother do not get along, the protocol still prevails, which means that the Duke of Sussex will now have to bow or curtsy to the new Queen Consort reported Page Six.
A close royal source even stated that Camilla would have been meant to be greeted with a bow when the Queen's death was announced at the royal family's gathering in Balmoral.
Queen Consort Camilla in London 2016. | Source: Getty Images
However Majesty managing editor Joe Little told Page Six that the circumstances and the tension that surrounded the Queen's death were unique, but in standard terms, the King and his Queen Consort must be greeted with a bow or curtsy.
Now that King Charles is the new reigning monarch, fans wonder what Prince Harry and Prince William will call him. But Little explained that William and Harry referred to Queen Elizabeth as Ma and Prince Phillip as Pa, so whatever name the royal brothers have for their father remains.
Prince William, King Charles III and Prince Harry in London 2014. | Source: Getty Images
The royal family has faced many situations that brought tension into the family. A close royal source expressed to Express UK that King Charles and his wife put their happiness first, which is why the couple is still being discussed today, but the source stated that the Prince and Princess of Wales are the last hope for the royal family to pivot from the drama.
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