King Charles and Queen Camilla have been a part of each other's lives for over five decades, and the past seven months have shown that the Queen has truly embraced her role, much to the King's delight. The year has been marked by concerns over Royal health, but the Queen's importance on the public stage has soared as she continues to adeptly step in and keep the Royal ship sailing smoothly.
As she nears her 77th birthday, Camilla's worth is being recognised more than ever, notes a top Royal expert - with one crucial reason behind the Queen's newly stacked workload.
"Camilla is certainly rocking it as she approaches her 77th birthday," former BBC Royal correspondent Jennie Bond told OK!, before going on to add how she believed that the Queen may have "surprised herself" in recent months given the volume of work she had been undertaking.
Acknowledging how the royal had never been confined to a traditional 9 to 5 day-job, Jennie went on to highlight just how sharply Camilla's workload has increased in recent months, as she took on a more active role in the royal family amid her husband's ongoing battle with cancer.
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Reflecting on how her hard work is partly due to her closeness with King Charles, Jennie added: "I think part of it is because she so much wants the man she loves to be proud of her, and to pull her weight in their partnership."
Jennie also went on to reveal how significant it was for Camilla to have finally earned widespread approval and affection from the public that once "ganged up against her as the 'marriage breaker' and the 'other woman' who made Diana so unhappy."
For many years, Camilla was often the subject of public ridicule and scorn, after the truth about her relationship with King Charles came to light, despite them both being married to other people at the time. Yet despite public objections, romance was able to flourish between the couple and following their subsequent divorces, the pair were able to finally tie the knot.
Discussing the late Princess Diana's attitude towards Camilla, Jennie went on to explain: "I think Diana was absolutely right to tell me that Camilla was 'loyal' and that Charles's love for Camilla was stronger than any marriage he might ever have made."
"These days I think Camilla is looking sleeker, smarter and more stylish than ever and she has grown immeasurably in confidence. What a contrast to those early days when she looked and sounded so very nervous if she had to speak in public. Now she is assured, confident and comfortable in her new and very demanding role."
Jennie's comments come after Queen Camilla made a rare address praising the nation's servicemen and women as a "source of inspiration, reassurance and pride" to mark the recent Armed Forces Day.
Camilla's heartfelt message also highlighted her personal connection with the Armed Forces, referring to herself as the "proud daughter of an Army officer". She wore her Royal Lancers brooch - a nod to her late father's regiment and the military unit she serves as Colonel in Chief.
During the Second World War, Major Shand stood tall with the 12th Lancers, pocketing the Military Cross twice, once during the 1940 Dunkirk evacuation, and another in 1942 over his North Africa campaign. Suffering injuries and captivity in the same region didn't break his spirit, living up to 89 years till June 2006.
Camilla showered praise on the Armed Forces men and women, stating her heartfelt thanks for "everything you do to protect this country of ours". She also commemorated those brave enough to make the "ultimate sacrifice" for worldwide peace.
The Queen paid homage to the 80th anniversary of D-Day, stating: "Eight decades later, I know that same spirit and those same qualities remain much in evidence throughout our Armed Forces, as you undertake your duties in the face of a multitude of challenges and dangers."
"Your unwavering determination, constant efforts and selfless loyalty to each other and to the United Kingdom are mirrored by our enduring gratitude."