Annabel Elliot sometimes can’t believe the role her big sister Queen Camilla has. Her Majesty’s younger sibling spoke with Robert Hardman, the author of the biography Charles III: New King. New Court. The Inside Story. for Tatler‘s June issue, which celebrates King Charles and Camilla’s 20th wedding anniversary.
According to Robert, Annabel “still finds it impossible to curtsey to her elder sister but nonetheless is still amazed by the way she has taken to her role.”
“Obviously for him, it was always going to be,” Camilla’s sister told him. “But I think she’s transitioned beautifully, actually. I mean, I sometimes look at her and I can’t really believe it.”
Annabel was as one of Her Majesty’s Companions at the coronation in 2023. The other was the Marchioness of Lansdowne. The two wore long, ivory dresses by Fiona Clare to the coronation service, which Annabel’s grandson, Arthur Elliot, also had a role at, serving as one of the Queen Consort’s Pages.
© Dan Charity – WPA Pool/Getty ImagesIn the documentary, Charles III: The Coronation Year, Annabel recalled, “When I thought back of, you know, being two years old and watching the Queen’s coronation on a tiny black and white television and there goes this golden coach with my sister in it.”
“I can’t explain the feeling because it’s so surreal. This cannot be happening,” she continued. “Yeah, it was quite a moment.”
Annabel has described her older sister as “somebody who is completely loyal” and “isn’t somebody who has huge highs and lows.”
© Karwai Tang/WireImageMonths before the coronation, news broke that Annabel’s husband, Simon Elliot, had died at the age of 82. Camilla’s sister and late brother-in-law are said to have been close to Their Majesties, and even joined them on their honeymoon at Balmoral back in 2005.
The King and Queen celebrated 20 years of marriage earlier this month. On the day of their anniversary (April 9), the royal couple, who traveled to Italy for a state visit, privately met with Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21. Discussing the secret to their marriage, Her Majesty told UK media (via HELLO!), “Twenty years, who could believe it was 20 years? What is the secret? I don’t know…well…I suppose it’s just sort of friendship, really.”
“Laughing at the same things, getting on with life. I suppose doing this,” she added, “takes up most of the time.”
Per The Express, Annabel spoke about her sister and brother-in-law’s marriage in an interview with the Mail on Sunday, published on April 5. “They have known each other for a long time, almost their entire lives,” Annabel is quoted as saying of Camilla and Charles. “Theirs, as any marriage should be, is a huge friendship.”
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