That was why she marked her Platinum Jubilee anniversary by expressing her sincere wish that the former Mrs Parker Bowles would have the title Queen Consort when Charles came to the throne. But she also knew that being monarch requires not just erudition and humility – attributes Charles has always possessed – but also a partnership.įor her, it was with Prince Philip. Queen Elizabeth lived to see the steadiness and reassurance that Camilla conferred on her son. Just as he judged the moment was right to wed Camilla in 2005, so the Fates and his late mother dealt him a good hand.

In making Camilla acceptable, he had first to win over his family – no easy task when the future of the institution was at stake – and then the country. For years, he had feared that, when the solemn moment came, he would be a King alone: cursed for marital misfortune and a tragedy that briefly threatened to imperil the monarchy.īut for all his contradictions and foibles, perseverance must be his greatest quality. He seemed to take confidence from her very presence. Even the ink from his fountain pen flowed to order as he signed his oaths to uphold the Protestant succession.Īnd while yesterday's spectacle was a grand story of pageantry and symbolism, ritual and faith, for the King the greatest consolation, surely, was the presence of Camilla being anointed and crowned at his side. Now you could see the relief at having at last arrived at his destination after such a long journey.Įverything went like clockwork. No wonder he came back for an encore, gazing at the rhapsody of red, white and blue that covered the Mall, as a river of friendly humanity flowed between the plane trees. Yesterday, for the first time, he was the focus. Charles also kisses a special edition of the Bible The Archbishop of Canterbury administers the Coronation Oath, asking the King to confirm he will uphold the law and the Church of England.

Queen of Glory by Christopher Nicole