Prince Charles’ wife, Camilla Parker-Bowles, who most of the time tries to stay in the shadow of her more secular relatives, it seems, will be forced to become the next ruler to the throne. A few hours before the onset of 2022, Elizabeth II unexpectedly elevated the Duchess of Cornwall to the rank of Royal Lady of the Noble Order of the Garter. The award is the most prestigious order of chivalry in Great Britain and presented to Camilla in recognition of her contribution to the monarchy.
The Order of the Garter was established by King Edward III in 1348 and is awarded by the current monarch for outstanding public services and achievements.
Camilla married Prince Charles in 2005 and has supported the Queen with painstaking social work for the past 16 years. And after the “abdication” of Prince Harry, she had to significantly increase her workload. According to British court experts, this is a direct hint from Elizabeth II that the next ruler will be Charles, and not William, as fans of the Cambridge expected.
The Queen also blessed Camilla during her Christmas speech: “I am proud beyond words that his pioneering work has been taken on and magnified by our eldest son Charles and his eldest son William – admirably supported by Camilla and Catherine – most recently at the COP climate change summit in Glasgow“.
