THE WORLD IS BEAUTIFUL

by **Paul** Tue 02 May 2023, 7:13 am

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The Merry Wives of Windsor

Yes, their husbands outrank them. And none of them will ever be the monarch. But we would argue that in many ways it’s the women who rule the house of Windsor. Trendsetters, dedicated humanitarians, and occasional rule-breakers, they have redefined the monarchy and made lasting contributions to society.

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Camilla: The Unlikely Queen

Camilla’s longtime relationship with Charles might now be considered an epic love story, but it caused a scandal when it was publicly revealed in the 1990s. At the time, both Charles and Camilla were married to others, and she was widely vilified as “the other woman.” Camilla later called the ensuing years “deeply unpleasant.”

However, the couple remained together, and Camilla undertook a remarkable transformation. She quietly eased into public life and earned begrudging respect for her warmth and humor. In 2005 she married Charles, and on Saturday the 75-year-old Camilla will be crowned. Once inconceivable, the title underscores her growing acceptance by the public and her importance to Charles. She has been called his “guardian angel.” It seems that this royal marriage will have a fairytale ending.

Discover how Camilla overcame controversy to become queen

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Did you know?

When Camilla met Charles in 1970, she reportedly mentioned the fact that her great-grandmother Alice Keppel had an affair with his great-great-grandfather Edward VII.

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Diana: The Reigning “Queen of People’s Hearts”

As Camilla prepares to be officially installed as queen, it’s hard not to think about Princess Diana, who would have been 61 years old had she survived. After marrying Prince Charles in 1981, she became perhaps the world’s biggest celebrity. She made headlines not only for her beauty and fashion but also for challenging royal traditions. Diana was a hands-on mother to Princes William and Harry, and she adopted controversial causes. Many credit her for helping to ease the stigma of HIV/AIDS.

The breakup of her marriage to Charles only seemed to increase her popularity. As Diana was redefining her public role, she was killed in a car accident in 1997, and her death sparked an unprecedented outpouring of grief. More than 25 years later, Diana remains an enduring presence.

Quiz: Test your knowledge of Princess Di

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Did you know?

A nanny and part-time preschool aide, Diana was the first royal bride to have a paying job.

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Catherine: A Royal with a Common Touch

A commoner, Catherine Middleton was born into a middle-class family, though her parents later became self-made millionaires, thanks to the party-supply company they founded. While studying art history at the University of St. Andrews, Catherine met Prince William in 2001. They eventually began dating, and in 2011 the couple wed in front of a reported two billion viewers.

Since then Catherine has emerged as one of the royal family’s most valuable members. Like the previous princess of Wales, she is noted for her ability to relate to the public and is dedicated to philanthropic work, especially children’s causes and mental health issues. She also is a devoted mom to Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte. However, unlike Diana, Catherine has largely avoided drama, tending to keep a lower profile.

Remember Kate and William’s wedding

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Did you know?

If Catherine ever becomes queen, she will be the first to hold a college degree.

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Meghan: A Rule-Breaker

Her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018 was seen as the start of a new era in the royal family. Not the traditional royal bride, Meghan is a biracial divorced actress from the U.S. Many hoped she was a sign of a changing monarchy, which has struggled to deal with its colonial past and has been seen as out of touch.

Although Meghan was initially considered a “rock-star royal,” her honeymoon with the media quickly ended. She became a frequent tabloid target—which some attributed to racism—and differences within the royal family, including its alleged failure to protect her, led Meghan and Harry to stop being “working members.” The schism widened as the couple publicly criticized the media and other royals. Meghan also drew attention for her candid discussion of her mental health struggles. Although invited to the coronation, she opted not to attend.

6 Things You Should Know About Meghan, Duchess of Sussex

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Did you know?

Meghan is the first-ever duchess of Sussex. Prince Augustus Frederick was the first duke of Sussex, but he died without legally marrying, and the title lapsed in 1843.

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In tomorrow’s newsletter, we explore the life of Charles III. After more than 70 years, his moment has arrived.

Written by Amy Tikkanen.
Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica.