Camilla to remember Queen's 'wonderful blue eyes' and 'unforgettable smile' in televised tribute

18 September 2022, 00:01

Camilla will pay tribute to the Queen in a televised statement on Sunday
Camilla will pay tribute to the Queen in a televised statement on Sunday. Picture: Alamy

By Daisy Stephens

The Queen Consort is to pay a televised tribute to the late Queen, recalling her "wonderful blue eyes" and saying "I will always remember her smile".

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Camilla, in pre-recorded words, will speak of how Queen Elizabeth II carved out her own role for many years in the "difficult position" of being a "solitary woman" in a male-dominated world.

"I can't remember anyone except the Queen being there," the Queen Consort will add, being among the majority of the nation for whom, until now, the Queen was the only British monarch they had ever known or could recall.

The Queen Consort's tribute to her mother-in-law is set to be aired on Sunday, the eve of the Queen's state funeral, shortly before the national minute's silence at 8pm.

Read more: Head bowed William leads Queen's grandchildren in vigil at her coffin with Harry in uniform

Read more: Kate and Camilla display new royal partnership during special lunch for sorrowful Commonwealth dignitaries

"She's been part of our lives for ever," Camilla will say.

"I'm 75 now and I can't remember anyone except the Queen being there.

"It must have been so difficult for her being a solitary woman.

"There weren't women prime ministers or presidents.

"She was the only one so I think she carved her own role."

Camilla will say she 'can't remember' anyone other than the Queen being the monarch
Camilla will say she 'can't remember' anyone other than the Queen being the monarch. Picture: Alamy

Remembering the late monarch, Camilla will add: "She's got those wonderful blue eyes, that when she smiles they light up her whole face.

"I will always remember her smile.

"That smile is unforgettable."

Read more: 'It means an awful lot that you're all here': Charles and William greet mourners queueing to see the Queen

Read more: 'We thought you'd be here forever': Beatrice and Eugenie pay tribute to 'dearest Grannie' Queen Elizabeth II

Elizabeth II delivered a masterstroke on the eve of her Platinum Jubilee in February 2022 when she endorsed the then-Duchess of Cornwall to be known as Queen Consort when the time came.

The Queen said it was her "sincere wish" and called on the public to back both her daughter-in-law and Charles when he became King.

Caller on people who are attending the Queen's lying-in-state

It was a shrewd move from the monarch, in her twilight years, setting her affairs in order and ensuring as smooth a transition as possible.

It ended years of debate over what Camilla - Charles's former mistress - would eventually be called.

Camilla was blamed for the breakdown of the prince's marriage to Diana, Princess of Wales, and, when news of their affair first came to light, she faced vitriolic criticism.

Read more: Prince Harry and Meghan ‘uninvited’ to state reception at Buckingham Palace

Read more: Ebay removes listings for wristbands to see Queen's lying-in-state after bids reach thousands of pounds

But in the decades after the Waleses' divorce, the untimely death of Diana in 1997 and Camilla's acceptance into The Firm, the public mood towards the former Mrs Parker Bowles has softened.

Following her wedding to Charles in 2005, Camilla very gradually took on a more prominent position within the royal family, including riding next to the Queen in her Diamond Jubilee carriage procession in 2012.

She also began to attend the State Opening of Parliament and was made a Privy Counsellor in 2016 ahead of the Queen's official 90th birthday.

She is expected to be crowned Queen at the King's coronation.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Labour divided over assisted dying as MP who introduced bill hits out at Health Secretary

Labour divided over assisted dying bill as MP tabling legislation labels Wes Streeting's objections 'disappointing'

Reverend Sue Colman was asked to step back after the Makin Report found her and her husband Jason knew about John Smyth's abuse and failed to act

Mustard heir and Church of England minister wife step back from church roles after damning abuse report

File photo of Broadway Market, where the attack took place

Horror as 'man doused in bleach' in busy Hackney market with manhunt underway and attacker still at loose

Former Met Police officer David Carrick pleads not guilty to string of sex attacks including indecent assault against teen

Former Met Police officer David Carrick pleads not guilty to sex attacks including indecent assault against teen

Jack Bradley took part in the failed ram raid

Moment drug addict in 4x4 rams Tesco superstore in failed bid to steal safe, with terrified staff still inside shop

ZM712, a Boeing Apache AH2 operated by the UK's Army Air Corps, departing from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England after participating in the Royal International Air Tattoo 2024 (RIAT24).

Drunken soldiers' caught during Apache cockpit romp spark military safety review

Eva Longoria, a Texas native, has said she is 'done' with the US after Trump's second election win

Eva Longoria reveals she has fled 'dystopian' America as Trump names radical right wing cabinet

Dog-free zones should be introduced to tackle racism, the Welsh government has been told.

Dog-free zones needed in countryside to tackle racism, Welsh government told

A 'major' suspected people smugger has been arrested in Amsterdam

'Major' Turkish supplier of small boats for Channel migrant crossings arrested as 'British FBI' swoop in airport

Clifton Suspension Bridge has quit Elon Musk's X after 15 years on the site.

Clifton suspension bridge dramatically departs from Twitter sparking wave of online jokes

Exclusive
Students take gap years and ‘neglect studies’ as survey suggests Edinburgh rents skyrocketed by nearly two thirds in a year.

Students take gap years and ‘neglect studies’ as survey suggests Edinburgh rents skyrocketed by nearly two thirds in a year

Two Just Stop Oil protesters charged over June's incident

Two Just Stop Oil activists charged after orange paint thrown over Stonehenge

Man arrested after reports of person carrying knives outside Houses of Parliament

Man charged with carrying offensive weapons after 'knife' incident near Parliament

Exclusive
Michael Harris died in an e-scooter crash

'My best friend was killed in an e-scooter crash - I'm urging the government not to legalise them for use on roads'

Hilkiah McLeggan, 77, from Southwark, was pronounced dead at the scene in East Street, Walworth.

First picture of Walworth market 'knife rampage' victim as suspect appears in court

Police at Gainsborough Care Home in Swanage where three people died and seven people were taken to hospital

Woman arrested over Dorset care home deaths released without charge