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

Exclusive
Bridget Phillipson has called for more British apprenticeships

UK must become 'less dependent' on foreign workers by training more British apprentices, minister warns LBC

Labour has deported nearly 19,000 people since coming to power

Inside Labour's deportation flights, as 19,000 illegal migrants removed from UK since July election

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Washington. (Photo/Alex Brandon)

'No exceptions, no exemptions': Trump brings in 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium as UK dragged into trade war

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Washington. (Photo/Alex Brandon)

'All hell will break out': Trump says Gaza ceasefire 'should be axed' if Hamas doesn't free all hostages on Saturday

Kim Leadbeater after the bill passed its first reading in November

Assisted dying cases could go ahead without judge's approval

Kanye West

Kanye West slammed for Super Bowl advert directing viewers to site selling swastika t-shirts

Matar is accused of trying to murder Salman Rushdie

Man accused of trying to murder Salman Rushdie says 'Free Palestine' as he is led into court

Legendary strongman Geoff Capes left nearly £240,000 in his will

Legendary strongman and Olympian Geoff Capes leaves £240k in will following death aged 75

The scene in Coulter Road, Hammersmith, west London, following the death of a woman in a flat

Woman, 36, found dead after man seen trying to force his way into flat in west London

Quinn Parker

'Inhumane' NHS trust admits maternity failings as three babies die within months of each other

The Aesculapian snake can grow up to two metres in length

Europe's biggest snake 'thriving' in UK and living in people's attics, study finds

The Aurora Borealis, Or Northern Lights, Visible From Large Swath Of North America

Northern Lights to be visible across parts of UK tonight

Zhenhao Zou is accused of rape

Woman among 10 allegedly raped by Chinese PhD student in London left “angry and ashamed” after attack, court told

London, UK. 28th January, 2025. Attorney General Richard Hermer arrives in Downing Street to attend the weekly Cabinet meeting. Credit: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Alamy Live News

Labour spat as peer brands attorney general Lord Hermer 'arrogant, progressive fool' and calls for him to quit

Jaysley Beck, 19, was found dead at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire

Soldier, 19, complained of 'unwelcome behaviour' from 'psychotic and possessive' boss before taking her own life

Watch the rousing Super Bowl ad directed by Michael Bay on behalf of the Secret Service

US Secret Service spends millions on recruitment film from Hollywood director Michael Bay