Elspeth, I so agree about the QM. They did tip-toe around her, did they not?
But perhaps Charles waited not because of her feelings for Camilla, but and the whole subject of divorce, etc. I've read that the QM actually sanctioned his relationship with Mrs Parker-Bowles and even allowed them to use Birkhall from time to time. The same story was revealed during a "Royal Biography" series here in the States. I realize Wallis was another story, but for Charles to go so far as to ask his grandmother to publicly accept a marriage to Camilla, well perhaps he felt that would put her in a rather awkward position. It's possible...
Whatever the QM thought of Camilla, privately, there was an image to maintain and image, above all else, was at the crux of Elizabeth's life of dedication. With all that her family had endured, and to yet again anticipate the posibility of notoriety would have been all but too much for this much beloved
'Granny'.
She wouldn't deny her grandson his happiness, privately, but the social responsibility he had, in her eyes, surely outweighed the need to have Camilla by his side in any official manner. A mistress is what she was, not what she remained, though once labelled it is often hard, if not most times impossible, to repair such an image. Was it too late? I think Elizabeth believed it was, and I'm sure even hearing the word
dicorcee would have provided her with the worst acid reflux!
I'm of the mind that the QM had no issue with Camilla being Charles companion in private. There was nothing she could do to sanction her grandsons relationship in such a way. Officially however, she had it in the bag. To welcome Camilla as an active member of the royal family, and so officially ordained into the House of Windsor...dream on 'Chucky'.
And I empathise with such sentiments, if infact shared by the late QM, which I believe they were. I don't necessarily agree, but...
As is the case, things have panned out rather well considering which is great. I'll just await legislation to create Camilla
Princess Consort and...
...her life-long hatred of the DoW
That actually isn't so. When the Duchess was unwell, and nearing the end of her life in France, the Queen Mother sent her flowers with a card that read, "In friendship". They had previously last seen each other at Edwards funeral and apparently the QM was quite sympathetic towards Wallis even then, who at that time, was experiencing a certain degree of disorientation.
After all was said and done, they were but two widows, aged and afflicted with lifes 'rent'..
I'm not saying they
were friends like we would think a friend to be, but I think a sense of understanding grew. Or at best, acknowledgement.