Queen Camilla and the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, are now two of the most senior women in the royal family. Yet their relationship hasn’t always been easy.

Over the years, their dynamic has shifted dramatically—from early skepticism and reported tension to a more respectful partnership rooted in shared duties and experiences.

Early Doubts from Camilla

Royal insiders and biographers have suggested that Camilla was initially unimpressed with William’s then-girlfriend. Author Christopher Andersen claimed Camilla felt Kate wasn’t “of their class,” viewing her middle-class background as unsuitable for royal life. “Camilla’s a believer in aristocracy [and] kind of a snob,” Andersen told Us Weekly. “She did not look at Kate as someone who was worthy of joining the royal family.”

Royal expert Tom Quinn echoed this sentiment, noting that Kate’s lack of enthusiasm for hunting or horses widened the gap. Ironically, Camilla herself was once dismissed as an unsuitable match for Charles, making her caution toward Kate all the more striking.

Some reports even suggest Camilla encouraged Charles to push William to make a firm decision about Kate during their brief split in the mid-2000s.

Kate as “Peacemaker”

Despite the rocky start, Kate helped smooth tensions after marrying William in 2011. Biographer Angela Levin credited her as a “peacemaker,” helping to mend relationships between Camilla, William, and other senior royals.