After years of simmering tension and built-up rage, an all-out feud has erupted between Queen Elizabeth and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
The showdown – which has left even the most hardened of palace aides shell-shocked – took place last week, with the 91-year-old monarch finally taking on Camilla over her sabotage and ruthless campaign to ‘push the Queen out.’
It’s believed ‘Operation 70’ – her behind-the-scenes movement to have her husband Prince Charles named king next year for his 70th birthday – is what tipped the Queen over the edge, forcing her to confront the duchess.
‘The Queen was furious,’ says a palace aide. ‘She’s served the monarchy and Commonwealth for more than 60 years. To have Camilla try and force her out with this secret Operation 70, thinking the Queen wouldn’t find out about I, is just offensive.’
‘The Queen feels like Camilla is just trying to push her out before her time, and she’s just not having it.’
The fierce feud between the Queen and Camilla coincides with the release of a shock report in the UK’s most trusted newspaper, revealing that the royal family are at war.
The Times reported that Prince Charles, 68, and Prince Andrew, 57, had sacked the Queen’s private secretary, Sir Christopher Geidt, revealing their deep dislike for their mother’s most trusted advisor.
It’s been further claimed that with Prince Phillip, 96, now retired and the Queen showing signs of her 91 years, a bitter power struggle is going on at Buckingham Palace over how to plot the future course of the monarchy.
News of the unprecedented sacking and reports of in-fighting amongst senior royals lead to Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Kensington Palace releasing a joint statement about the newspaper report – which is a very rare event, according to trusted royal author Phil Dampier.
‘I can’t remember the last time this happened, and it shows there is panic behind the scenes,’ explains Phil, who has been reporting on the royals for more than 30 years.
Palace sources tell New Idea that Camilla and Charles have started to fight back against the Queen now that the negative press of the 20-year anniversary of Diana’s death is behind them.
For the full story, see this week’s issue of New Idea.
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