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    2. Royals

    Queen Camilla’s “Deliberately Cautious Approach” Helped Win Over the Public and Had a “Powerful Effect” on King Charles, Says Royal Expert

    The Queen's support has made The King "more relaxed and assured," says body language expert Darren Stanton.

    Kristin Contino's avatar
    By Kristin Contino
    Published 17 July 2026 In News

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    Queen Camilla and King Charles laughing as they pull pints at a pub
    (Image credit: Getty Images)
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    Queen Camilla is celebrating her 79th birthday on Friday, July 17, marking the day with a new portrait and a special gift to the children of the United Kingdom. The Queen, who has long been a champion of literacy charities, will be giving books to every sixth year student this Christmas, and along with her impact on reading, she’s been a quiet, grounding support for King Charles throughout their marriage.

    Since marrying Charles in 2005, Camilla has been a source of steady reassurance for The King, and as she turns 79, body language expert Darren Stanton is sharing how their partnership has only strengthened over the past two decades.

    Speaking on behalf of Betfair Casino, Stanton says that Camilla’s strategy during the couple’s first royal tour to the United States in 2005 helped build the public’s confidence in her—as well as boosting The King.

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    Queen Camilla waving a British soldier fan standing next to King Charles

    The King and Queen visit Blandford Forum, England on July 16.

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Queen Camilla and King Charles talking to each other at Trooping the Colour 2026

    Charles and Camilla coordinate at Trooping the Colour 2026.

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    “Camilla’s deliberately cautious approach played a key role in supporting Charles during their earliest joint engagements,” he shares. “By stepping back and allowing him to take the lead, she helped reinforce his position while easing the public into their new dynamic.”

    The behavioral analyst adds that Queen Camilla’s “willingness to follow his pace rather than dominate the spotlight gave Charles the space to settle into their partnership publicly” in the early days of their relationship.

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    As the now-Queen slowly started to take on more charity work and increase her public presence, Stanton says that her “gradual, measured introduction into royal duties” made all the difference.

    “As she slowly opened up to the nation, it allowed Charles to appear more relaxed and assured beside her, strengthening his image as a future monarch supported by a dependable partner,” he shares, adding this has had a “powerful effect” on The King.

    Marie Claire Newsletter

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    Queen Camilla holding an umbrella and King Charles waving his arms in front of a penguin enclosure at the London Zoo

    King Charles and Queen Camilla showed off their lighthearted side at the London Zoo

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Queen Camilla posing for a 79th birthday portrait in a blue dress

    Queen Camilla poses for a 79th birthday portrait.

    (Image credit: Getty Images/Chris Jackson)

    Widely regarded as a favorite amongst royal journalists and photographers, The Queen’s warm personality and cheeky sense of humor has also helped the public see King Charles in a different way.

    “Her willingness to laugh at herself—and the genuine laughter she often triggers from Charles—has given the public rare glimpses of his lighter, more human side,” Stanton says.

    Whether it's pulling pints at a bar or interacting with penguins at the London Zoo, The Queen never fails to keep her husband laughing. “Those candid moments, sparked by Camilla’s natural warmth and authenticity, have helped soften Charles’ public persona and allowed people to connect with him on a much more emotional level,” Stanton shares.

    Kristin Contino
    Kristin Contino
    Senior Royal and Celebrity Editor

    Kristin Contino is Marie Claire's Senior Royal and Celebrity editor. She's been covering royalty since 2018—including major moments such as the Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II’s death and King Charles III's coronation—and places a particular focus on the British Royal Family's style and what it means.

    Prior to working at Marie Claire, she wrote about celebrity and royal fashion at Page Six Style and covered royalty from around the world as chief reporter at Royal Central. Kristin has provided expert commentary for outlets including the BBC, Sky News, US Weekly, the Today Show and many others.

    Kristin is also the published author of two novels, “The Legacy of Us” and “A House Full of Windsor.” She's passionate about travel, history, horses, and learning everything she can about her favorite city in the world, London.

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