How Queen Camilla’s bond with Princess Anne has changed over the years

Princess Anne and Queen Camilla may be two of the most senior and seasoned royals, but their relationship hasn’t always been warm, apparently.

According to royal biographer Angela Levin, the bond between the Princess Royal and the queen has evolved dramatically over time, from “frosty” beginnings to mutual respect and support.

Does Princess Anne like Queen Camilla?

“She didn’t get on particularly well, or at all, with Diana, but she didn’t get on with Camilla either,” Angela claimed to the Express.

“Anne, of course, went out with Andrew Parker Bowles, who later married Camilla. So they had similar a taste there. But over time they got close. She sees how hard Camilla has worked. She sees how much happier and stronger and more accessible Charles is, and they now get on very well.”

Despite their early differences, their relationship has grown into something more stable.

In her book Camilla: From Outcast to Queen Consort, Angela added that Prince Philip’s death in April 2021 further brought Anne and Camilla together, uniting them in support of Queen Elizabeth II during her time of mourning.

“The warmth has increased since Prince Philip died,” she wrote. “The priority to be there for the Queen and try to keep the monarchy stable and respected took precedence compared to small differences in the past.”

Did Princess Anne refuse to curtsy to Camilla?

While relations have thawed, tensions have occasionally surfaced. During the 2024 Commonwealth Day Service, Princess Anne notably broke with royal protocol by not curtsying to Queen Camilla.

While other senior royals like the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh greeted Camilla with a kiss and curtsy, Anne simply kissed her sister-in-law on the cheeks before walking away.

Although Camilla appeared unbothered, royal watchers were quick to notice.

‘Camilla will never be a true queen’

According to Angela, Anne was once firmly opposed to Camilla ever being made Queen Consort.

“Anne was, for many years, opposed to the idea,” Angela wrote in her biography. She even claimed that Anne once predicted: “Camilla will never be a true queen.”

Much of this, Angela argues, stemmed from Camilla’s early discomfort with Anne’s strong personality and royal stoicism.

“Like many people who didn’t know Anne well, Camilla found her frosty demeanour difficult and somewhat unnerving to cope with,” she wrote.

However, today, their relationship paints a very different picture. Camilla’s steady, understated sense of duty has won Anne over.

This newfound respect was on full display during Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral in September 2022, where Anne and Camilla sat side-by-side.

Princess Anne praises Camilla

In recent years, Princess Anne has spoken openly and respectfully about her sister-in-law.

In BBC One’s 2023 documentary, Charles III: The Coronation, Anne said of Camilla: “Her understanding of her role and how much difference it makes to the king has been absolutely outstanding.”

Anne even admitted that Camilla wasn’t a “natural” fit for the role but praised her for adapting beautifully.

Her understanding of her role and how much difference it makes to the king has been absolutely outstanding.

She said: “This role is not something that she would have been a natural for. But she does it really well. And she provides that change of speed and tone.”

Anne’s admiration has only grown. In an April 2025 interview with Tatler, she doubled down on her praise.

“I’m sure lots of people do say to her what a difference she’s made, but that is really true,” the Princess Royal gushed, according to royal author Robert Hardman. “She’s incredibly generous and understanding.”

Although they maintain their own circles, the two royals are frequently aligned in their values.