How Queen Camilla's Son Really Feels About Her Marriage To King Charles

Queen Camilla and King Charles III have been subject to scandal and controversy for decades. Newsweek reports that royalists, including Queen Elizabeth II, were less than thrilled when they became a couple again after Charles' divorce — despite everyone knowing that their romance never really ended in the first place.

Still, public sentiment had risen to tepid when they officially debuted as a couple in 1999, two years after Princess Diana's death. General public opinion reached lukewarm when the two married in 2005. According to a YouGov survey, it's stayed at that level since. Camilla is "liked" by 38% of the British public, "disliked" by 29%, and 28% don't care. However, she can rest easy knowing she'll always be heads above Prince Andrew, Duke of York, who's "disliked" by 71%.

In 2022, Queen Elizabeth made an announcement about Camila Parker Bowles' official title, decreeing she would be styled Camilla, Queen Consort. Per Tatler, after the death of Queen Elizabeth, Charles and Camilla vowed to honor her wishes. But that's all changed now, and they've decided she'll be titled Queen Camilla, not Camilla, Queen Consort. Of course, she will be sitting up front during her husband's coronation on May 6. Camilla's two children, Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes, will be dusting off their Sunday best to attend the event too. Tom steers clear of royal engagements and events unless forced to go. So, how does Queen Camilla's son really feel about her marriage to King Charles?

When it comes to Queen Camilla's marriage to King Charles, Tom Parker Bowles is happy if his mom's happy. Still, he prefers to avoid all the royal drama unless he feels compelled to wade in, like shooting down accusations that Camilla hatched a plan to become queen one day. "I don't care what anyone says; this wasn't any sort of endgame," Tom told the News Agents podcast (via CNN). "She married the person she loved, and this is what happened."

Camilla has long been cast as a wicked schemer and master manipulator. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, added fuel to the fire in his memoir, "Spare" (via The Times), by accusing his stepmother of playing the "long game" with his father. However, Tom was diplomatic when asked if there were any concerns over Harry attending Charles' big day, "That has nothing to do with me at all," he said.

Tom shared that he wouldn't be partaking in the ceremony or perfecting his loose-wristed wave on the royal balcony afterward. "We're just there to support our mother," he said — presumably not referring to himself in the third party. Meanwhile, Tom believes Camilla will keep calm and carry on as needs must during the historically monumental event. "I'd be terrified if I had to walk up wearing ancient robes," he admitted (via ABC News). "She's 75, and it's tough to do it. But she's never complained. She'll just get on and do it."

Tom Parker Bowles isn't averse to some controversy. Per the Daily Mail, Tom was caught in a tabloid sting in 1999. The writer and food critic worked as a publicist when he was secretly caught on camera at the Cannes Film Festival in France. He talked about taking coke and offered to buy some for a woman. King Charles III was reported to be "fairly cross" at his future stepson.

However, this time, Charles will likely be "really rather cross" regarding Tom's latest controversy. During his interview with the News Agents podcast (via Town & Country), Queen Camilla's son defended the anti-royalist group, Republic, who plan to continue their ongoing "Not My King" protest campaign by holding placards along the entire coronation procession route. "Everyone has the right to think what they want," Tom said. "We live in, thankfully, a free country."

"If people want to protest, that's their right to do so, I think," he continued. "If people protest, people protest. You're allowed to protest. We're all allowed to have different views. I think that makes for an interesting and civilized country." Per Sky, the group has heckled Charles numerous times and promises that the upcoming coronation protests will be "unmissable." A YouGov survey found that only 9% of Brits care "a great deal" about the event, 35% "not very much," and 29% "not at all," while 51% believe that taxpayers shouldn't have to pay for the coronation.