Queen Camilla saved Kate Middleton from making a royal mess of her wedding — according to insiders.
There have recently been whispers of friction between the newly-crowned queen consort and the Princess of Wales, allegedly spurred by the small number of guests Middleton was permitted to invite to the coronation of King Charles III on May 6.
But, years ago, Camilla, 75, is said to have been a font of royal support for Middleton, 41, ahead of her April 2011 nuptials to Prince William, 40.
In fact, just two months before Middleton’s big day, Camilla, who married King Charles III, now 74, in 2005, stopped her future daughter-in-law from making a fashion faux pas.
While enjoying friendly luncheon at the Berkeley Hotel in Knightsbridge, Camilla was reportedly overheard saying to Middleton, “If I can give you one bit of advice…,” according to a diner who eavesdropped on their chat.
Per the snoop, the two royals, who were accompanied by Camilla’s daughter, Laura, and Middleton’s sister, Pippa, were excitedly discussing wedding plans in the public space.
“They were all getting on very well and they clearly hadn’t asked for an out-of-the-way table and nor did they attempt to lower their voices,” said the sleuth, according to the DailyMail, adding that the ladies lovingly held hands and laughed together during their chat.
When Middleton allegedly revealed that she’d was planning to wear flowers in her hair for her royal wedding, Camilla reportedly urged her against the blooms, advising that a tiara would be more appropriate.
The soon-to-be British ruler also suggested that her own manicurist, Marina Sandoval from the Jo Hansford hair salon in Mayfair, give Middleton a $45 “signature manicure” before her holy matrimony.
Camilla was also said to have gifted the would-be princess a gold charm-style bracelet with a small disc engraved with their royal cyphers — the names and titles of a monarch. The bracelet, which features two large ‘C’s under a coronet with Camilla’s surrounded by a circle, is reportedly similar to a piece the new queen rarely takes off her wrist.
And Camilla’s do’s-and-don’t’s tips on joining the monarchy didn’t end with Middleton.
In fact, in a Channel 5 documentary, Kate Nicholl, Vanity Fair’s Royal Editor, claimed Camilla also attempted to impart her royal wisdom onto the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markel, 41, when she became engaged to Prince Harry, 38, in November 2017.
“In many ways, Camilla had paved the way for Meghan,” said Nicholl in the doc, noting the resistance Camilla allegedly received from the royals due to her years-long affair with then-Prince Charles during his marriage to the late Princess Diana.
“Camilla would have been there to tell her not to take any criticism personally,” added Nicholl, “but this is just what happens when you’re an outsider.”
And when it came to publicly interacting with the less-than-welcoming members of the royal family — such as the king’s sister, Princess Anne, according to reports — Camilla was said to have taught Middleton how to feign comfort in front of the cameras by focusing on faces of friendly photographers.
But the help wasn’t all one-sided.
After Middleton wed Prince William, she reportedly served as a “peacemaker” between her husband and his father and Camilla during times of tension.
And in addition to their shared love of the arts, the lady leaders are said to share a passion for being a rock to their men.
“They both believe that supporting their husbands is a priority,” said a source.
