Camilla Faced Intense Media Scrutiny When Her Affair with Prince Charles Was Revealed

"I couldn't have survived it without my family."

The royal family
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Prince Charles' wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, has spoken out about the couple's relationship in a new interview with The Mail on Sunday. In particular, Camilla opened up about the media's treatment of her when news of her infamous affair with Prince Charles broke.

Camilla told the magazine, "I couldn't really go anywhere... It was horrid. It was a deeply unpleasant time and I wouldn't want to put my worst enemy through it. I couldn't have survived it without my family."

the royal family

(Image credit: Getty Images)

One of the reasons Camilla was placed under such intense scrutiny when news of her affair with Prince Charles came out, was the fact that both parties were still married; Camilla was married to Andrew Parker-Bowles, and Charles to Princess Diana.

However, in her latest interview, Camilla also made it clear that she tries not to listen to her critics quite so much anymore. She said, "You also have to laugh at yourself because if you can't, you may as well give up. I sometimes think to myself, 'Who is this woman? It can't possibly be me.' And that's really how you survive."

The royal family

(Image credit: +Arthur Edwards+WPA Pool)

The fact that Princess Diana has always been so beloved by people all over the world, ultimately made news of Prince Charles' affair all the more difficult to process. However, over time, Charles and Camilla have proven their devotion to one another, and married in 2005.

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Amy Mackelden
Editor

Amy Mackelden is a freelance writer, editor, and disability activist. Her bylines include Harper's BAZAAR, Nicki Swift, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, ELLE, The Independent, Bustle, Healthline, and HelloGiggles. She co-edited The Emma Press Anthology of Illness, and previously spent all of her money on Kylie Cosmetics.