Although Charles has assured people that Camilla (referred to by the Queen as "that wicked, wicked woman") would not become queen of England, this would only have been accomplished had he chosen a morganatic marriage. The legal term "morganatic" refers to an agreement that if the spouse is not of equal rank, would not be entitled to the titles and privileges by marriage (as was the case of Edward and Mrs. Simpson). Apparently it would take an act of Parliament, along with identical laws in fifteen Commonwealth countries, to prevent Camilla from becoming queen. Royal protocol was affected when the primogeniture law was dissolved which put women on an equal footing to the male heirs. But the Queen still kept Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall at a distance by keeping the late Queen Mother in the list of female rankings in order to separate the Queen and Prince Charles' wife. 1. The Queen, 2. The Dowager Queen, 3, Duchess of Cornwall, 4. Wives of the sovereign's grandsons. There is also protocol on which order the royals must attend functions. Camilla was left waiting in a downpour at one event until Princess Anne arrived so that she could walk behind her. Princess Anne absolutely refused to curtsy to the Duchess of Cornwall (which she would only have to do if Charles was not present). The Queen then changed the order of precedence to be observed at court to be on blood principles so that neither Princess Anne nor Princess Alexandra was required to curtsy to Camilla.
The book is an interesting insight into the workings, wealth and extravagance of the royal family and how sadly Camilla and Charles made life uncomfortable for Diana, the Princess of Wales.
