Prince William and Prince Harry have often spoken warmly of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and the pair even organised a cheeky surprise for their new stepmother when she married Prince Charles in 2005. However, in the tense years following the death of their mother Princess Diana in 1997, Camilla had to be introduced to the young princes as Charles’ new partner carefully. Royal biographer Penny Junor, in her 2017 book “The Duchess: The Untold Story”, writes about how the transition period was “very hard” for the Dukes of Cambridge and Sussex.
A member of the royal household told Ms Junor: “Part of the thinking was that, in order for the public to approve of Camilla, she had to be seen with the boys or it wouldn’t work.
“I think the relationship between them all is warm now but if I’m honest, it wasn’t then.
“I think they found it very hard when they were little.
“I remember Harry being uncomfortable and saying something awkward.
Camilla Parker Bowles and Prince William and Harry faced difficulties in their relationship at first (Image: Getty)
Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles were first photgraphed together in 1999 (Image: Getty)
Prince Charles with William and Harry in 1999 (Image: Getty)
“It was difficult for them, it was a natural thing.
“You want your mum, you don’t want her, and she had her own family.”
