Can Camilla Compete With a Deceased Diana?

Princess Diana’s death casts a shadow over another important relationship in Prince Charles’ life--his love for Camilla Parker Bowles. Reviled as “the other woman” in the failed marriage, Parker Bowles now has the most formidable of rivals for public acceptance.

Diana’s beauty can no longer fade; a memory of kindness had been gilded by an international outpouring of praise. The tabloids long ago exhausted the vocabulary of derision in describing the middle-aged and unrepentantly unfashionable Camilla.

But in the year since his divorce, 48-year-old Charles and his longtime love had found a kind of peace behind the scenes and had publicly--but quietly--acknowledged their feelings.

On her way to the 50th birthday party the prince gave for her in July, widely seen as a kind of coming-out party for their relationship, Parker Bowles flashed a joyful smile at photographers. There were signs that public antipathy was easing toward Charles and his lover, who was divorced from her husband, Andrew Parker Bowles, in 1995. But any press suggestions of marriage between the two still provoked outbursts of disapproval.

“I think the tide of public opinion was moving their way before the events of the weekend,” Bob Houston, editor of Royalty magazine, said.

Diana’s legions of admirers haven’t forgotten her anguish over her husband’s infidelity--never mind that Diana strayed from the marriage, too. And they would not likely forgive Prince Charles if they suspected his lover was in a position to influence the upbringing of Prince William, 15, and Prince Harry, 12. Charles has said he has no intention of remarrying.

Royal biographer Ben Pimlott was quoted as telling the Guardian that some people might now say Charles should have some happiness, but that others may hold him and his lover indirectly responsible for Diana’s death.