Camilla recently delivered a compelling speech underscoring her commitment to supporting victims and survivors of violence and abuse, declaring, “We stand with you.” Her words resonated deeply, particularly given the current climate.

Observers noted that her statement might subtly allude to the ongoing controversy surrounding Jeffrey Epstein and the alleged involvement of her brother-in-law, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. However, Camilla likely remains unfazed by any perceived implications regarding Andrew, considering their longstanding rift predates the Epstein scandal.

Royal expert Angela Levin sheds light on this tension in her book, “Camilla: From Outcast To Queen Consort.” She suggests that Camilla harbored feelings of disappointment toward Andrew, believing he could have been more supportive of her and Charles during a period when public sentiment was largely unfavorable due to the aftermath of Princess Diana’s death.

Levin’s book further reveals claims that Andrew even attempted to persuade the late Queen Elizabeth II to cancel Camilla and Charles’s wedding in 2005. A source described Andrew’s conduct as increasingly negative and unpleasant, allegedly stemming from his view that Camilla lacked the requisite aristocratic background and was untrustworthy.

In her book Camilla: From Outcast To Queen Consort, she claimed that Andrew went as far as trying to get the late Queen Elizabeth II to call off the couple’s wedding in 2005.

‘His behaviour became very, very negative and extremely unpleasant on not getting his way,’ a source claimed, adding that Andrew allegedly felt Camilla was ‘insufficiently aristocratic and that she was not to be trusted’.

He was ‘quite poisonous, mean, unhelpful and very nasty about Camilla’, they added, and ‘remained so hostile about Camilla’s acceptance that it’s doubtful it has ever been forgiven’.

The cracks, it seems, only widened over the years, and Camilla was a no-show when Andrew’s daughter Princess Eugenie married Jack Brooksbank at St George’s chapel in 2018.

Her excuse was a longstanding commitment to visit Crathie Primary School, located near Balmoral, but even locals were surprised and told the Daily Mail at the time they would have understood if she’d had to reschedule.

In her book Camilla: From Outcast to Queen Consort, royal author Angela Levin claimed that Andrew went so far as trying to get the late Queen Elizabeth II to call Charles and Camilla’s wedding off

‘We are used to seeing the royals out and about – they are part of the Crathie community – and frankly they could drop in at any time,’ one shared.

‘I don’t think anyone would have been too startled if the engagement was cancelled because of the wedding.’

While friends insisted there was no ‘snub’ from Camilla (who reportedly sent Eugenie a handwritten apology letter), her tensions with both Andrew and Sarah Ferguson were hard to ignore. 

Sources told Richard Kay that Camilla thought Andrew did not speak up for her and Charles when they were battling to get royal acceptance for their relationship after Diana’s death.

‘Camilla has always felt Andrew could have done more,’ one shared. ‘The Queen listens to Andrew and he could have helped his brother at a time when he had few allies within the family.

‘In fact, I would go so far as to say he was deeply unhelpful when support would have meant a huge amount to her and the Prince.

‘Looking back to when there was little public sympathy for Charles and Camilla, if not open hostility, it was a case of Andrew playing politics. Camilla hasn’t forgotten.’ 

Sources told Richard Kay that Camilla thought Andrew did not speak up for her and Charles when they were battling to get royal acceptance for their relationship after Diana’s death

And while Andrew and Sarah’s friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein continued to be unveiled in the files, Camilla has been busy with her work to bring attention to sexual violence faced by women.

On Tuesday, the Queen gave a powerful speech in defence of the victims and survivors of violence and abuse, saying: ‘Shame must change sides.’

Speaking as president of the Women of the World group at St James’s Palace in London to mark International Women’s Day, she told guests: ‘We stand with you.’

Camilla’s intervention is likely to have been seen as a thinly veiled reference to the Jeffrey Epstein case and her brother-in-law Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s alleged role.

The Queen has long campaigned against domestic violence and sexual abuse. A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: ‘I think Her Majesty’s speech speaks for itself.’

Women of the World, also known as WOW, is a global alliance of partners who work together with the aim of driving an equal and inclusive future for women and girls.

Camilla referred to recent meetings she has held with French rape survivor Gisèle Pelicot and another with BBC racing commentator John Hunt and his daughter Amy.

She told the audience: ‘As you can see, I am wearing another badge next to my WOW one. You might not be close enough to read the message, but it says, simply, “Shame Must Change Sides”.

On Tuesday, the Queen gave a powerful speech in defence of the victims and survivors of violence and abuse, saying: ‘Shame must change sides’

‘It was given to me last month by Gisèle Pelicot, whom I was honoured and delighted to meet for tea, to hear her story in person, told with grace, strength and, above all, determination that the world’s view of violence against women and girls must shift dramatically.’

Camilla then quoted Ms Pelicot’s address in Parliament last month, when the rape victim said: ‘Changing legislation is far easier than changing attitudes. For victims to speak out, society also has to be ready to listen and to hold their hand. Shame must change sides.’

Speaking today, the Queen said: ‘In the same year 51 men were found guilty of having raped and assaulted Gisèle, another heartbreaking and shocking crime was reported.

‘In Hertfordshire, Carol Hunt and her daughters Louise and Hannah were brutally murdered by Louise’s ex-boyfriend in their home.

‘At the end of last year, I met John and Amy Hunt, who, courageously and with great dignity, spoke to me about the loss of their beloved family. Amy – thank you for being here with us today, with your fiancé, Gareth.’

Camilla said that during their conversation, when speaking about violence against women, Amy Hunt told her: ‘Every woman has a story.’

The Queen continued: ‘Few have suffered as much as John and Amy. But those words of Amy’s have stayed with me since and I often think of them. She is, tragically, right.’

Camilla cited data showing a woman is murdered by a man every three days in the UK, with 62 per cent of these women killed by partners or ex-partners, and 70 per cent in their own home.

She also said almost a third of women in England and Wales have endured domestic abuse; while one in four women have been raped or sexually assaulted; and more than 70 per cent of women in the UK say that they have been harassed in public.

Camilla continued: ‘Each of us is, therefore, certain either to have experienced some form of abuse personally, or know a woman or a girl who has.

‘To every survivor of every kind of violence, many of whom have not been able to tell their stories or who have not been believed, please know that you are not alone.

‘We stand with you and alongside you, today and every day, in solidarity, sorrow and sympathy. Every woman has a story. And these stories must be told. Because when we live in a culture of silence, we empower violence against women and girls.’

She also talked about the importance of boys being ‘taught to manage and to express their feelings healthily’, adding that all children should ‘learn what constitutes consent – and what is assault’.

Royal insiders have also suggested Camilla would have played a role in stripping Andrew of his titles. 

While the decision came from King Charles, his wife – and the wider family – are understood to have been in support. 

‘I would think the Queen had a hand in that,’ a source told PEOPLE. ‘There would have been a push from Camilla and Catherine, and there was pressure from William, who would not want to inherit the headache… It was a family decision.

‘It was quite strong, and I was quite proud when I heard it.’ 

It comes amid a turbulent time for the Royal Family. In the latest developments following the tranche of explosive Epstein file revelations, Andrew was pictured leaving police custody, following his arrest last month on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The former prince looked shellshocked as he cowered in the back of a car, leaving Aylsham police station in Norfolk shortly after 7pm on his return to Sandringham. 

Andrew, who recently turned 66, was detained by officers during an 8am raid on his new home at Wood Farm. In events that rocked the Royal Family, he became the first senior royal to be arrested in modern times.

Thames Valley Police confirmed the disgraced former prince had been taken into custody just after 10am on Thursday, marking one of the worst days for the family in recent history.

In a statement put out just minutes after Andrew’s departure, Thames Valley Police said ‘a man in his sixties’ has been released under investigation – as images showed how the royal seemed to be trying to evade photographers following his bruising day in the cells. 

Wide-eyed and with his hands clasped in front of him, Andrew cut a lonely figure as he ditched his traditional suit and tie attire in favour of a shirt and cardigan more suited to the setting that is so far removed from the upper echelons of luxury he is used to.

The photograph of the former prince, now stripped of all his titles and privileges, is sure to haunt the Royal Family in the days and weeks to come. 

Police added that searches being conducted in Norfolk, relating to Andrew’s new residence, Wood Farm, have concluded. 

It is understood Andrew was arrested in relation to allegations he passed sensitive information to convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein while acting as a trade envoy for the British government.

King Charles issued an unprecedented statement confirming his ‘wholehearted support and co-operation’ with the investigation into Andrew just hours after he was detained on Thursday – with Buckingham Palace understood not to have known the former Duke of York would be arrested. 

The statement said: ‘I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office.

‘What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities. In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation.

‘Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.’