Camilla Declines

Most people, after a messy divorce, have the choice of putting their exes behind them. The Prince of Wales is in an unfair position, since he’s forced to be constantly, publicly mourning his ex-wife as if they were still married. After all, the people loved Diana, so the Prince had to, too… even though it’s questionable whether he ever really loved her at all, and he certainly hadn’t for some time.

So it might have been weird for Camilla to show up, but it’s also weird that an ex-husband has to make such a public display or risk his own status and approval. It’s a shame that the royal family can’t mourn in peace and in private, reacting in their own ways to the passing of Diana without being judged by the outside, ill-informed world.

I tend to agree with Sandra. I think it’s significant the Harry and William invited Camilla. From what I read they have a good relationship with her. I would have seen nothing wrong with her being there. I also hate the use of the world “consort” Fern. It’s almost as if you’re calling her a whore. I know it’s technically correct in England, but for most of the world she is his wife.

One thing people tend to forget is that Charles loved Camilla before Diana and she is the true love of his life. The marriage to Diana was all “politics.” She was simply the good stock brought in for breeding.

It’s widely known throughout the world, that royal marriages are rarely for love. They’re all arranged. Charles was not the first British royal to have a spouse and also a mistress. It was pretty standard practice for centuries.

The world loved Diana, but she was as conniving and apparently as unfaithful as he was. I respect Diana for the charitable work that she did, but she was far from a saint.

In essence this is all *for* Diana, practically a party of which she is the unseen hostess, and her probable wishes for the guest list should be taken into consideration. Having someone who caused the deceased so much pain – however unintentionally (though sleeping with Charles during his marriage to Diana cannot be said to be “unintentional”) should not be present. Of course, this could apply to many others in the royal family as well… might be some room left over in those front pews after all.

sorry you object to the word “consort” John but I do choose my words carefully and if there was an inference, so be it.

Fern,

I only object to the word consort because in this case had Charles had his way he would have married Camilla not Diana. It seems that it was not she that came between Charles and Diana, but Diana and those who arranged the marriage who came between Charles and Camilla.

I think the world has canonized Diana much too soon. The more I read and hear about her, the less I like her. I’ve read in several places that she hated the charity work she did, but she did it because it made her look good.

Hopefully Harry will be able to marry whom he wants and it will be for love. I’m not sure when the last king or queen of England actually married for love, but I suspect it was a long time ago.

I think it may have been appropriate for Camilla to attend IF she had not been Charles’ mistress while married to Diana. I think she shows a lot of class to decline the invite, and it speaks well of her that the princes wanted her there. However, they could’ve invited her because it would please their father.

Am I missing something here? Is it not accepted that Diana had at least one long term affair while married to Charles, perhaps more?

Why does Charles get all the blame for the breakup of the marriage because of his relationship with Camilla.

These two were total opposites with a large age difference. The sole purpose of their marriage was to produce a male heir – period.

I think people need to get over it already! It’s been ten years since Diana died, and many more than that since her marriage to Charles ended. If that were you or I, that would be an eternity and we would be very much looked down on for being so “petty” if we refused to attend, at our step-children’s invitation, a memorial celebration of their mother’s life. Why do we have such a different standard for the royals, when its really none of our business at all anyway?

Don’t get me wrong, I adored Diana; I was a HUGE Diana-phile. But she’s DEAD, life goes on, and Camilla needs to stop worrying so much about what people think of her and just live her life whatever way it brings her the most happiness.

It seems to me that everyone has behaved appropriately in this case. It was thoughtful of Harry and William to invite Camilla and she is acting with discretion in declining the invitation.

Can we finally get over this picture of poor fairy-tale princess Diana wronged by the Rottweiler? Diana was no angel, no goddess and no saint herself, so why not let the wive of her ex attend.

If you are so appalled by the idea that Camilla “who … played a role in Princess Diana’s unhappiness and tragedy” may attend, why not exclude Charles as well. He too played a role …

Good Idea!