The Duchess

Camilla Parker Bowles and the Love Affair That Rocked the Crown

By: Penny Junor

Narrated by: Jenny Funnell

In the first in-depth biography of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall—the infamous other woman who made the marriage of Britain’s Prince Charles and Princess Diana ""a bit crowded""—esteemed royal biographer Penny Junor tells the unlikely and extraordinary story of the woman reviled as a pariah who, thanks to numerous twists of fate, became the popular princess consort.

Few know the Windsor family as well as veteran royal biographer and journalist Penny Junor. In The Duchess, she casts her insightful, sensitive eye on the intriguing, once widely despised, and little-known Camilla Parker Bowles, revealing in full, for the first time, the remarkable rise of a woman who was the most notorious mistress in the world.

As Camilla’s marriage to Charles approached in 2005, the British public were upset at the prospect that this woman, universally reviled for wrecking the royal marriage, would one day become queen. Sensitive to public opinion, the palace announced that this would never happen; when Charles eventually acceded to the throne, Camilla would be known as the princess consort. Yet a decade later British public sentiment had changed, with a majority believing that Camilla should become queen.

Junor argues that although Camilla played a central role in the darkest days of the modern monarchy—Charles and Diana’s acrimonious and scandalous split—she also played a central role in restoring the royal family’s reputation, especially that of Prince Charles. A woman with no ambition to be a princess, a duchess, or a queen, Camilla simply wanted to be with, and support, the man who has always been the love of her life. Junor contends that their marriage has reinvigorated Charles, allowing him to finally become comfortable as the heir to the British throne.

Refreshing

A very refreshing and believable work on the modern royal family. I enjoyed the writing as well as the narration. You won't be disappointed.

A Lot of Royal Filler

This is not a typical biography. There are a number of chapters that barely mention Camilla, and address the whole well told Charles and Diana saga. The author is obviously pro Charles and writes gushingly about Camilla. Nothing really wrong with that but there’s a lot of it here. The post-marriage to Charles chapters provide more detail than we need about her charities. But I did appreciate the basic family history and some of the behind the scenes palace intrigue. Of all the royals, I’ve always wanted to meet Camilla. We share the same birthday, and I’ve been dealing with osteoporosis for over 15 years- she’d be a great one to chat with on that. And through this book I learned that Camilla loves the book “Rebecca.” That’s one of my favorites, too. So, this book was not what I expected but did provide enjoyable info.

Ok But

Too much full repetition of narrative from the public domain we've already heard many many times. Feels like they're there to take up space. But Camilla's story is interesting.

Penny Junior Hits A Home Run

I loved this audiobook! Penny gives a lot of juicy details. I personally do think Diana had BPD. Poor Charles! I’m so glad Charles and Camilla make each other happy. Thank you again Penny.

Excellent audible book!

Penny Junor captured the whole essence of Camila. I understand her now or feel as tho I do. Want to meet her now.
Thank you, Lisa