King Charles III faces a challenge in boosting the monarchy’s popularity worldwide, due in part to Queen Camilla’s limited ability to travel abroad, according to royal biographer Tom Bower.
In the year since Queen Elizabeth II’s passing, overseas visits by senior royals have been few.
Charles had hoped to make France the destination for his first state trip as monarch, given his close ties with President Emmanuel Macron.
However, violent protests over Macron’s proposed pension reforms made a royal visit impossible.
Germany became the venue for Charles’ inaugural overseas journey instead.
However, according to Bower, Camilla’s discomfort with long-haul flights prevents the couple from embarking on more distant tours to Commonwealth nations like Australia.
The Queen Camillas’s health is a concern for royal travel plans
In an interview with GBNews, Bower argued that Camilla’s refusal to take long trips prevents the royals from connecting with the general public at a time when the younger generation is increasingly skeptical of the monarchy.
“I don’t think she really loves being Queen,” Bower stated bluntly. “I think she knows there is a large residue of Britons who resent her presence there.”
He suggests the 75-year-old Queen Consort does not have robust health, which holds Charles back from more ambitious travel.
While Camilla’s companionship makes the King happy, Bower contends she lacks the qualities of leadership and vision expected of a monarch representing British values worldwide.
“She doesn’t want to fly to Australia, she doesn’t want to go to Kenya, she doesn’t want to go beyond Paris or Berlin because she gets jet lagged and all the rest,” said.
Bower argues more vigorous outreach is required, which may be constrained by Camilla’s limited stamina for overseas tours.
He believes the royals must go beyond attending local events like Highland Games to actively engage with the public.
Recently, the royal couple recently led commemorations marking the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s death, attending a poignant church service in Scotland.