Camilla Parker Bowles Is Reportedly Thrilled To Take One Of Meghan Markle's Patronages

Camilla Parker-Bowles has long been making an impression that counts. In late January, the Duchess of Cornwall made a powerful speech about domestic violence. She addressed guests from Refuge, the UK's largest organization dedicated to domestic violence, as they were "marking rather than celebrating your 50th anniversary," according to People. The duchess used her platform to remind guests how different things were for people caught in an abusive cycle, saying, "They were, effectively, prisoners in their own homes."

Camilla shared that before Refuge, "there was almost no support available ... and, perhaps most painfully, very little public understanding of the issue." She continued, "It was a taboo subject: what happened at home stayed at home. But suddenly, with the creation of the first refuge, domestic abuse began to come into the national consciousness." 

Helping survivors of abuse isn't the only place Camilla is taking a stand — she's also active in the arts. British author Sir Philip Pullman accompanied the duchess during a visit to the Oxford Bodleian Libraries, per Express, and noted, "It's a great thing that a member of the royal family should show such an active interest in what has always been this country's greatest strength which is its writers, its authors, its poets and playwrights, and novelists." He continued glowing, calling Camilla's recognition "important... it signifies something." Now, Camilla will take an even more prominent role in the performing arts, as she has taken over one of Meghan Markle's patronages.

Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, has been given a new role after Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were stripped of their royal patronages in 2021. Camilla will take over as patron of the National Theater after Meghan received the honor in 2019. Previously, Camilla was reportedly "pretty miffed when it went to Meghan," according to The Times (via the Daily Mail). A source also told the outlet that Camilla "really wanted" the role. However, Meghan has a background in acting, playing the lead role of Rachel Zane in "Suits," so it seemed like a "natural fit" at the time.

However, Camilla is taking things in her stride. Even before officially getting the patronage, Camilla frequently spoke about the importance of theatre, saying in a 2020 speech that the art is "the cornerstone of a fertile cultural life, a forum for debate and a powerful means of building community," according to The Telegraph. The Times also reports that she "will be all the more delighted to take it on now, after being disappointed not to get it first time round." And with writers like Sir Philip Pullman, who is famous for his series "His Dark Materials" lauding her, Camilla already has support as she takes on her new position.