I'm saying that it's becoming ever clearer that someone, several people if I'm right have a serious problem with Camilla and have set conditions about just how much of a member of the Royal Family she can be. They'll take orders from the Queen, they might bring themselves to take them from Charles, but from Camilla? It sickens them to think that someone like Camilla might topple them from their precious grey suit positions with her down to earth style. They want to limit her influence as much as they can and once again, the Eunuchs bring down the Emperor.
i've had the same kind of thought. i doubt the duchess wanted to go but gave into pressure from charles and others. after the firestorm, i admired her for withdrawing and trying to get the focus back to diana. (it was a very respectful notice imo) that being said i've asked if she had her OWN advisors or has to use charles (i haven't got an answer- i take it theres no information on that point) i think camilla scares the grey suits, she's no young girl easily manipulated or easy to work "around" because of her close relationship with the prince. it wouldn't surpise me if knives are out for her by those closest to the center of power (ie: charles advisors). i really think some people should lose their jobs over this fiasco, but i'm not holding my breath. all i know is imo she was showing class and respect attending, and still showing class and respect not going. in my mind it doesn't alter my respect for camilla or the royal family, this reflects on the toadies and advisors that contributed to this circus (heads should roll). a private memorial would have been so much more respectful and not so deep pitfalls.
Camilla pulls out of Diana memorial on Queen's advice | the Daily Mail
*quote from article
*the Queen led to the Duchess of Cornwall's announcement that she would not be attending the Diana memorial service. According to insiders, Camilla agonised to her mother-in-law about the dilemma she felt her presence would present
*It triggered a series of rows between the duchess and Prince Charles, who wanted his wife to be at his side for Friday's thanksgiving service at the Guards Chapel.
Privately she was known to be uneasy and reluctant to attend but Charles insisted she should.
*The damage done by this latest row to the duchess's still-fragile public image cannot be over-estimated and friends fear that much of the headway achieved since her marriage to Charles two years ago has been undone.
*For some reason Charles's team at Clarence House thought that as long they stuck to their agreed line - that Camilla was there at the request of William and Harry - they should be able to see it through.
"Once again, they were so very, very wrong and the issue of whether she should attend or not became a national talking point. The duchess knew her position had become untenable."
The memorial service debacle places fresh scrutiny on the role of Charles's most senior advisers. His private secretary Sir Michael Peat was firmly of the view that the duchess should attend. Sir Michael was blamed for the series of mishaps which plagued the couple's wedding.
Diana memorial: Courtiers get it wrong again | the Daily Mail
*courtiers stubbornly ploughed their own furrow, oblivious to the glaring warning signs surrounding them.
*A man intolerant at the best of times with those who take exception to his actions, the prince has installed in his household a team of men and women dedicated to his every whim with Sir Michael Peat, his principal private secretary, at its head.
*Fortunately for Sir Michael, his loyalty (not to mention the fact that he is but a few years away from retirement) will no doubt ensure that he escapes censure for his role in the whole memorial mess.