When you marry, you don’t just marry the person you choose. In many ways, you’re also marrying their family and accepting that they will be part of your life for years to come. That is something that happened to both Kate Middleton and Queen Camilla, as the two married Prince William and King Charles respectively. And one of the relationships they’ve had to cultivate is with each other.
Recent reports, however, indicate that relationship is not very good. In fact, insiders claim it has deteriorated during the last few months, and is now hanging on by a thread. “What’s happening now feels like the fiercest clash we’ve seen between two senior royal women in years,” a source told RadarOnline.com. “Camilla feels sidelined, while Kate’s growing confidence and visibility are unsettling her,” adding, “Both are aware that the balance of power is shifting – and neither is prepared to step back quietly.”
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Queen Camilla took on a larger role as both King Charles and Kate Middleton were sidelined with cancer last year. Now, Middleton has returned to public duties and ceding the spotlight is apparently been hard for Queen Camilla. “Camilla worked hard to establish herself after years of criticism, and she doesn’t like the idea of being overshadowed,” an insider said. “Kate’s return has been polished, professional and very ‘queenly’ – it’s obvious she’s positioning herself for the future, and that’s making Camilla uneasy.”
Things reportedly got worse during the summer, as the two pushed for a larger role as the King continued his recover. “It’s subtle, but it’s there – in which events they attend, how much coverage each gets and even the tone of official briefings. You can feel the competition,” a palace source said, with the relationship between the two described as “icy” and “impossible to ignore.”
And it all reportedly came to a head when Queen Camilla reportedly brushed Kate Middleton away during a conversation with first lady Melania Trump during the recent state visit to the UK. “Things were strained backstage, a source told RadarOnline. All eyes were on Kate, and Camilla was clearly aware of that. She was furious that the attention had slipped away from her and knew people would gossip about it later.”
But sources close to the Prince of Wales say Kate is not interested in any feuds. “Kate’s focused on her duties and her health,” a royal source said. “She’s not interested in rivalries, but she won’t be diminished either. She knows the public looks to her, and she takes that role seriously.”
Increasingly, it feels like the family is being divided into two camps, say sources, with William and Kate on one side, and Charles and Camilla on the other. “Those around the King are fiercely loyal, but he’s fully aware that his son’s moment is approaching. The real issue is how easily that handover will unfold,” another source said.
Reports have indicated that William’s plans to modernize the monarchy have clashed with his father’s love for tradition. The Prince of Wales cannot make any changes yet, as that’s not his place, but those in the know believe big changes will come as soon as he is King.
As for Kate and Camilla, “It genuinely feels like there are two queens in waiting – one already established and the other getting ready to take her place,” according to sources. And that means, “Everything appears cordial in public, but behind the scenes, the atmosphere is noticeably tense.”
It is, in many ways, the way of the world. Things change. The young take over. We’ll see how well this family can adjust.