How Camilla Parker Bowles Feels About Her Fancy New Title
Most know Camilla Parker Bowles just as the duchess of Cornwall. But when Bowles married Prince Charles, she actually became "Her Royal Highness Princess of Wales." According to Town and Country Magazine, the decision not to go by "Princess of Wales" was an easy one, because Princess Diana was strongly associated with the title.
"Camilla was not popular or well-liked," royal expert Marlene Koening explained to Town and Country magazine. "This has changed a lot since the marriage as Camilla has taken on a lot of patronages and Charles is a lot happier." According to the official Prince of Wales website, the duchess currently is a patron or president of over 90 charities, which she began supporting as early as 2005.
"The decision to take on a patronage is often a very personal one for the royals, and the places they choose to support are often working in areas close to their hearts," explains June Woolerton at PopSugar. Starting with King George II in the 18th century, these patronages are an important tradition for the royal family — so much so that the roles, like titles, are passed down between members. In 2016, the queen passed the patronages of Barnardo's Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and The Royal School of Needlework to the duchess of Cornwall (via the Prince of Wales website).
Camilla Parker Bowles just added this organization to her list of patronages
Camilla Parker Bowles, duchess of Cornwall, just added a new title to her already impressive list of patronages. In a video posted on social media, Bowles announced herself that she has been named Patron of the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS). "For 75 years," the duchess explained, "the BFBS has championed our wonderful Armed Forces and shone a spotlight on their vital work." To her, the BFBS is what keeps the Armed Forces connected despite "spanning 15 time zones, from the deserts of the Middle East to the windswept Falkland Islands" (via Yahoo!Life).
Beyond believing in the important work the BFBS does for the Armed Forces, Bowles has personal reasons she believes so deeply in their mission. In her video announcement, she explained how she knows "a little of the importance of maintaining the connection between service personnel and family because during the second World War, my father was held as a prisoner of war in Germany."
"The men could cope with almost anything," she went on to explain, "as long as they were not deprived of some form of contact with home."
As far as how she feels about her new role, the duchess said in her video announcement she was "delighted".