Camilla Parker-Bowles, the current Queen of England, bought Ray Mill House in May 1995, shortly after the divorce from her first husband and the father of her two children. The estate extends over 68,000 square feet in the county of Wiltshire, and It was the refuge of the clandestine love of Camilla and King Carlos III. There was a rumor that was gaining much traction about that house, as Carlos’ then-lover was apparently devoted to creating a small collection of caricature cutouts of his eternal rival, Princess Diana of Wales. He also hung in the great hall of the estate a portrait of Alice Keppel, his great-grandmother, who was having an affair with Edward VIII. For example, Carlos’s great-grandfather and Camilla’s great-grandmother had been lovers in another time.
Ten years after acquiring this house, Camilla left the bachelorhood by marrying Elizabeth II’s son. Thus she became the new lady of Clarence House, the official residence of the Prince of Wales in London, and of his two other houses in the county of Gloucestershire, Highgrove House, and in Scotland, Birkhall. Camilla was clear that he would keep his house and make it a condition of marriage, a decision that caused a lot of controversy because of the money involved in security, every time the current Queen of England wanted to enjoy a few days in her Ray Mill. Why did she want to keep this house at all costs? According to ‘The Daily Mail’ it was actually to escape his life. “From the start, Camilla knew she would often have to escape the limited and extremely orderly royal life that Prince Charles leads in Highgrove and his other homes. Camilla, in particular, known for her domestic disorder, would have to flee from Prince Charles’ obsessive cleanliness and order.
Camilla Parker-Bowles bought the estate for £850,000. It extends over 68,000 square meters in the county of Wiltshire, 17 miles from King Charles III’s manor in Highgrove. The proximity between the two properties is no coincidence, since the couple used Ray Mill for their clandestine encounters when they were lovers
The ‘Coronation Street’ TV show claimed that “going to Ray Mill often also has the effect, rumored in some royal circles, of ensuring that Charles never takes Camilla for granted.” Some rumors point to the queen consort as the one responsible for directing their relationship with Carlos.
“Camilla has always known how to play Carlos. He has failed to keep his interest for three decades without knowing how to handle him,” they explained the same program. “I’m sure Camilla’s time at Ray Mill – and it’s much longer than people think – is” crucial to Camilla’s strategy so he doesn’t lose interest in her”.
Camilla wouldn’t get married if she didn’t keep this houseso plain that she left him to her then boyfriend, who had no choice but to accept this condition to make her his wife.
Although Camilla’s beginnings were not easy at all, it seems that after more than… married 16 years has managed to win over a large part of the British.
The now queen consort continues to visit Ray Mill regularly on her days off, trying to spend much of the summer there enjoying the garden and pool.
A few years ago, a quarrel between Camilla and one of her neighbors. The British press explained that King Carlos III’s wife had confronted a neighbor who wanted to build a house for his mother on his land. Apparently the noise from the works would have tired the queen consort.
Despite this minor dispute, it is very common to see Camilla at her home, where she will enjoy a few days alone.
Source: Marie Claire
Richard Stock is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. He is a lifestyle expert who provides readers with the latest news and trends in the world of fashion, beauty, food, and travel. With a sharp eye for detail and a passion for writing, Richard offers unique insights and perspectives on the topics he covers.
