Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, has opened up about life in the royal family, her relationship with Prince Charles and her fears for her grandchildren in a rare interview.
The future Queen Consort sat down Vogue ahead of her 75th birthday later this year to give a brutally honest insight into being part of The Firm.
She told the fashion bible she has no big plans for her special day and will likely just spend it with family and a few friends, saying: "Who wants to be 75, really, but there’s nothing we can do about it."
The fashion lover picked all the outfits herself from her own wardrobe, but admitted that the press on nails she did for the occasion fell off when she was gardening the day before the interview.
She also joked with photographer Jamie Hawkesworth when the Vogue team arrived, apologising that he had to spend the day photographing an "old bat".
Meghan and Harry photo
When the magazine's features director Giles Hattersley arrived at Clarence House for the interview, he noticed a collection of framed family photos scattered around.
Alongside snaps of Princes William and Harry as teens, he notes a snap from Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's wedding sits "in the primo spot upfront".
The interview comes just a few weeks after Camilla and Charles finally got to meet their granddaughter, Lilibet, when Meghan and Harry brought their children to the UK for the Queen's Jubilee celebrations.
They weren't photographed together during the four-day weekend, and while they both attended the Service of Thanksgiving they arrived separately and were sat on opposite sides of St Paul's Cathedral.
Daily Wordle challenge
Just like the rest of us, it turns out the royals love Worlde and Camilla plays on her iPad every day.
She explained that she messages her granddaughter every morning to compare scores. She joked that it's "very satisfactory" when the website "tells you how brilliant you are".
She it seems that she's pretty good it, joking that she's got twos before - impressive!
Fears for grandchildren
As well as her royal step-children, Camilla shares two kids - Laura and Tom - with her ex-husband Andrew Parker Bowles.
She also has five grandchildren aged between 12 and 14, who she is very close to and loves to spoil.
She tells the magazine: "The girls are beginning to get into clothes and make-up and, you know, it’s rather frightening when you see them, coming out with pierced ears and a lot of new make-up and funny-coloured hair and stuff."
Secret to her and Charles' marriage
Camilla admits that she and husband Prince Charles often find time to be together due to their busy schedules.
However she says their secret is always ensuring they sit down once a day to have a catch up. The couple come together for a cuppa and a biscuit to talk about their days so far, saying "we have a moment".
But her favourite thing to do is simply to sit in the same room as her beloved hubby while they both read. She explains that it's relaxing as they don't have to chat but can just be together.
Public scrutiny
Camilla also opened up about the negativity she faced when her relationship with Prince Charles became public knowledge, especially after Princess Diana spoke about their affair with the infamous quote "there were three of us in the marriage, so it was a bit crowded".
While Camilla's popularity has dramatically increased after two decades of public duty, including the Queen saying she wants her to become Queen Consort when Charles takes the throne, the Duchess admits it's still "not easy".
She told Vogue: "I was scrutinised for such a long time that you just have to find a way to live with it. Nobody likes to be looked at all the time and, you know, criticised. But I think in the end, I sort of rise above it and get on with it. You’ve got to get on with life."
- The July issue of British Vogue is available via digital download and on newsstands from Tuesday 21st June.
