Britain’s new queen consort Camilla on Sunday honored Queen Elizabeth for her own role as a “lonely woman” in a world dominated by men. In her first public commentary after the death of the British monarch, King Charles’ wife said it must have been “so difficult” for the late monarch when she took the throne as a 25-year-old in 1952.
The pre-recorded message on the BBC will be broadcast later Sunday, before the national minute of silence to be held at 8 p.m. local time on the occasion of Elizabeth’s death. She is part of a TV tribute to the Queen.
“She’ll be a part of our lives forever. I’m 75 now and I can’t remember anyone except The Queen who was there,” Camilla says. “It must have been so hard for her to be a lonely woman. There were no female prime ministers or presidents. She was the only one, so I think she played her own part.”
Camilla has fond memories of her mother-in-law. “She has those beautiful blue eyes that light up her whole face when she smiles. I will always remember her smile. That smile is unforgettable.”