Kate Middleton’s power struggle with Camilla Parker-Bowles has escalated as Prince Charles prepares to become King. Palace aides, courtiers, and insiders are all whispering about Charles’ subtle move to the center of the royal family. Buckingham Palace and Clarence House have been quietly and slowly shifting more power and monarchical duties to the “Shadow King,” and that means Camilla Parker-Bowles will soon enjoy the benefits of being Queen consort.
The Duchess of Cornwall knew this day would come, but the Middleton’s power plays have taken a huge hit after Queen Elizabeth out-maneuvered the family. Carole Middleton has been banished from Kate Middleton’s life, at least until Carole and Kate decide the time is right to restart the March of the Middletons. The Queen, likely tired of Kate’s royal revolution and constant but quiet reform of protocol, finally put her foot down and ended the Duchess’-month long maternity leave with demands she return to royal duties.
Clearly, Queen Elizabeth has won this round, as Kate Middleton has been trying to hide her troubles with bright-eyed appearances full of forced smiles. The Duchess may be bending to the Queen’s will now, but not without signs of defiance. Kate wore a shirtdress during her visit to London’s Anna Freud Center, and flashed her inner thigh, teasing another Kate Middleton upskirt debacle.
However, Kate and the Middleton family might have underestimated Prince Charles. Typically, Charles is a pushover who lives by Queen Elizabeth’s demands, but the monarch has been quietly controlling aspects of the Duchess of Cambridge’s life. From the day she and Prince William were engaged, Prince Charles demanded Kate’s body guards were all female. Having seen Princess Diana falling for her male bodyguard, Barry Mannakee, Charles fears Kate Middleton will cheat on Prince William.
Another factor Princess Kate is considering is Camilla Parker-Bowles. After Prince Charles becomes King, Camilla stands to gain a power over the Duchess of Cambridge, and Kate Middleton isn’t one to leave anything to chance. Perhaps that is why there has been coverage of Carole Middleton being so cordial with Camilla Parker-Bowles, and reports of Kate attempting to befriend Camilla after the birth of Princess Charlotte.
As Prince Charles’ prepares to become King and his power grows, so do Kate Middleton’s fears for her future power. It’s likely the Duchess fears what Charles and Camilla will do to her and the meddling Middleton family after Queen Elizabeth’s death. Prince William and Charles’ relationship has been strained, but where Carole Middleton’s concern is her position and her family’s happiness, Prince Charles’ focus lies with Prince William and his grandchildren’s happiness.
