“While the whole world has been obsessed with Kate and Meghan’s feud and William and Harry falling out, behind palace walls there’s been a much bigger drama afoot,” says a royal source.
“It’s believed that Charles and Camilla are set to announce their divorce imminently. They’ve already signed the papers and have barely seen each other in recent months, apart from Charles’ 70th birthday event, which the Queen made Camilla attend to avoid speculation.”
Even so, royal staff have been scrambling to make it appear as though the couple are still going strong. It was notable that the Christmas card the couple chose to use featured a photo taken several months ago, during happier times, in their Clarence House Garden showing them looking lovingly at each other.
Now, sources say Charles is weighing up Shackleton’s advice. “She has outstanding judgement and flair, and she cuts to the chase,” remarked a fellow lawyer.
Despite the happy public appearances, the true state of Charles and Camilla’s relationship has been apparent within royal circles for a while, with Camilla notably absent from many royal engagements last year, including Princess Eugenie’s wedding to Jack Brooksbank in October. At the time she cited a diary clash, explaining she was due to visit a school in Scotland.
“The palace reported that Camilla had a cold, which is why she missed the Queen’s festive gathering, but Charles was telling everyone on the quiet that they’re no longer together,” adds the insider.
Despite Charles’ apparent openness about the end of his marriage among the family,
his mother has ordered the household to remain tight-lipped about the sad news for now.
“It’s believed the Queen wants to hold off until Meghan’s quarrel with Kate and William dies down before announcing Charles and Camilla’s divorce. She just can’t handle more scandal at the moment.”
Read the full story in this week's issue of New Idea, on sale now.
