Prince William and Camilla's rocky relationship revealed as he removes sister from payroll
Despite a rocky start to their relationship, Prince William and Queen Camilla have demonstrated mutual respect for one another over the years but will William removing Camilla's sister from the payroll reignite a feud?
This week, as the Duchy of Cornwall accounts were released, it was revealed Prince William had reportedly made a big decision by removing Queen Camilla's interior designer sister from the royal payroll.
The accounts showed for the first time in almost two decades, Annabel Elliot was not paid for her services during 2023-2024. She was employed by the then Prince of Wales, as chief designer of his estates following his 2005 marriage to Queen Camilla. But sources confirmed to The Telegraph that Prince William would no longer employ Ms Elliot, although it was no reflection on her work.
The decision could be an example of how Prince William intends to streamline the monarchy and its processes when he becomes reigning monarch.
Despite initial hesitancy with Camilla and Charles's relationship, Prince William and Prince Harry eventually came to accept the now-Queen Camilla as part of their father’s life, as claimed in Omid Scobie's book, 'Endgame', as he called Camilla an "anchor" for the King.
It is claimed Prince William and Prince Harry did not have a typical familial relationship with Camilla, even after she technically became their stepmother as they tied the knot on April 9, 2005, in a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall.
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Royal commentator Emily Andrews has claimed that Camilla’s relationship with the princes was "tricky". Speaking during the 2020 Channel 5 documentary ‘Charles & Camilla: King and Queen in Waiting’, Ms Andrews said: "Camilla’s relationship with William and Harry has always been quite tricky. Diana obviously painted Camilla as the marriage wrecker."
The princes were both in their mid-teens when Charles and Camilla’s relationship became public. The Duchess’ relationship with Harry was reportedly particularly difficult in the beginning.
Ms Andrews explained: "Harry refused to see her to start with. Harry wears his heart on his sleeve. He was in his teenage rebellious phase — smoking dope and kind of getting into trouble."
In his bombshell memoir, Harry explained along with Prince William that they pleaded with their father not to marry Camilla. He wrote: "Despite Willy and me urging him not to, Pa was going ahead. We pumped his hand, wished him well. No hard feelings. We recognized that he was finally going to be with the woman he loved, the woman he’d always loved."
Don't miss...
Camilla was never close to Meghan and was 'suspicious' of her motives [LATEST]
Charles and Camilla rushed to cover as suspect seen on roof after Trump shooting [DETAILS]
Canada releases new portrait of King Charles a year after Coronation [INSIGHT]
However, with children of her own, Camilla was able to tackle the unique challenges of being stepmother to William and Harry.
Carole Malone, a current affairs commentator, also told the documentary: "In the early years after Diana’s death, all those boys had was Charles and we all know Charles was emotionally stunted.
"So they would have needed a woman to talk to sometimes and I suspect Camilla was very good at fulfilling that role."
When Camilla eventually became Queen, Prince William was also there to support her on her first major outing since the late Queen issued her royal seal of approval for Camilla to use the title when Charles, became monarch.
Sources told the Daily Mail at the time that whilst he was not part of the decision-making process, William was "respectful" of the title change.
They told the newspaper: "There were huge family rows in the early stages of Charles and Camilla's marriage as everyone found their feet. William didn't have the best relationship with his father back then.
"But he sees that Camilla had made his father happy and it is something he has come to terms with."
Following from King Charles's cancer diagnosis, Queen Camilla has proven to critics she has "stepped up" to royal duties when required.
The Commonwealth Day service on March 23 demonstrated this and showed a day of unity for the Royal Family as the Firm gathered in Westminster Abbey for the annual celebrations.
Not only this, but William and Camilla appeared to put royal stresses behind them as they stood side by side and shared an intimate conversation at the event.
Lifting the lid on the pair’s engagement, body language expert, Darren Stanton, on behalf of Betfair Slingo, believed the two royals were developing a "mutual respect" towards each other.
He said: "Over the years, William and Camilla have definitely developed a mutual respect and a close bond. It’s clear from the way they look and interact between each other that there is a deep respect between them. She cares for William deeply and he cares for her."
