QUEEN Camilla and King Charles are celebrating 20 years of marriage this year – but despite this are said to spend “quite a lot of time apart”, according to an expert.
While the couple are dedicated to one another, Camilla is said to retreat to her beloved “messy” countryside pad in Wiltshire without Charles each weekend.
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Editor-in-Chief of Majesty Magazine Ingrid Seward told Fabulous: “They actually spend quite a lot of time apart.
“Ray Mill house is Camilla’s sort of release from royal life, if you like.
“Before she married Charles she made a pact with him that she would keep Ray Mill house as her bolthole.
“She goes every weekend when she can, and she goes during the summer so that she can spend some time with her grandchildren and her children, and it’s something that’s away from the whole royal world.
“Quite often she doesn’t go to Highgrove at all unless she and Charles are entertaining together.
“She’ll just go straight to Ray Mill house and spend the weekend there.”
The royal expert explained that Camilla doesn’t visit her private home to “get away” from royal life but to relax.
Ingrid continued: “It’s getting away from the restrictions of the security and being surrounded by staff and people doing things for you, which, of course, sounds lovely for all of us.
“I think in her case she needed somewhere where she could actually relax and just be herself, and slope around in dirty jeans if she wanted to, and not be constantly monitored.”
According to the Express, a source said: “At Ray Mill she can sit down with a big G&T, kick off her shoes and watch Coronation Street, which Charles loathes.”
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While Camilla is having some time to herself at weekends, Charles will often go to Highgrove or Sandringham – but the pair typically reside together during the week at Clarence House.
Charles’ new £3m pad
This comes as it has been reported that King Charles has just splashed out £3million on the home next door to Camilla for a key reason.
The Mail on Sunday reported how the monarch has bought the neighbouring four-bedroom home – named the Old Mill – to prevent it becoming a wedding venue.
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A royal source claimed Camilla had “great anxiety” over the proposal plans, as the potential buyer was said to be keen to “maximise commercial use of the property as a short-term holiday rental and wedding venue.”
The source stated: “Think of it – dozens of wedding guests carousing every weekend just the other side of her fence.”
To prevent this from happening, King Charles is understood to have purchased the home using private funds.
I think in her [Camilla’s] case she needed somewhere where she could actually relax and just be herself, and slope around in dirty jeans if she wanted to, and not be constantly monitored
Ingrid Seward
He will now reportedly find a “security-vetted tenant” who will put the home to “appropriate” use.
Ingrid added: “Now, obviously there is security at Ray Mill house, and this was one of the problems with the house next door.
“Because, although the house next door wasn’t exactly on her fence, the land from the house next door went right up to her boundary fence, which meant that people could literally sort of hang over the fence and look and and look into her grounds.”
Camilla’s ‘messy’ retreat
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Camilla bought the 17-acre Ray Mill in Wiltshire after her divorce from Andrew Parker-Bowles in 1994.
The source added to the Express: “She also doesn’t have to bother about how the place looks – Charles is so fussy about tidiness, while she leaves her stuff all over the place.
“She doesn’t need her cushions plumped all the time.”
Another pal previously said: “That house is where she can cook scrambled eggs in her dressing gown and be among those she loves with not a jot of ceremony or anyone looking at her. It is home.”
She [Camilla] goes every weekend when she can, and she goes during the summer so that she can spend some time with her grandchildren and her children, and it’s something that’s away from the whole royal world
Ingrid Seward
Camilla paid £850,000 for the countryside bolthole, which has many luxury features, including an outdoor swimming pool, terrace, stables and incredible gardens.
It was her main home from 1996 to 2003, and it is situated just 15 minutes from one of King Charles’ favourite homes, Highgrove.
Royal fans got a sneak peek at Ray Mill as it served as a backdrop for portraits taken of the Queen to celebrate her 75th birthday.
It was also where Camilla’s daughter Laura Lopes hosted her wedding reception when she tied the knot with Harry Lopes in 2006.
Inside Highgrove House, where King Charles lives
HIGHGROVE House is located in the Cotswolds, just miles from Tetbury in Gloucestershire.
The Georgian home dates back to the 1780s and was bought by the then-Prince Charles from Maurice Macmillan, a former politician in 1980.
Each of the gardens reflect the interests of King Charles, who has long held a deep commitment to environmental efforts and a sustainable lifestyle.
The King has even planted rare trees and heritage seeds to ensure these varieties continue flourishing for future generations.
Highgrove is located within 347 acres of sprawling countryside with the Royal Gardens often open for tours, including group garden tours and champagne and tea tours.
There is even a shop that sells artisan products like ports and chutneys.
All profits from the produce on sale, garden tours and events are donated to the Prince of Wales’ Charitable Fund, which supports mental and physical health activities, the arts and the environment.
Highgrove House itself is closed to the public as it is the private home of King Charles III and the Queen Consort Camilla.
