Camilla Parker-Bowles, the Duchess of Cornwall, appeared together in a royal engagement this week with Princess Anne, the Princess Royal. Both women were special guests at the University of Aberdeen as Princess Anne received her honorary degree from the institution from her sister-in-law.
According to BBC, Camilla has been serving as the university chancellor since 2013. Hence, she conferred the honor to the Princess Royal. The princess was recognized for her work in the Save the Children Foundation.
Despite being the only daughter of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, as well as the most hardworking royal, Princess Anne doesn't have one privilege as Camilla. According to Daily Express, Queen Elizabeth elevated Prince Charles' wife as a Privy Councillor.
The Privy Councillor is a body of advisors to Her Majesty. They help Queen Elizabeth decide matters by using her sovereign powers in accordance with the Acts of the Parliament.
This council is also composed of senior politicians. Camilla was named into the council in 2016, along with Prince William, the second in line to the throne. The Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke of Cambridge and the Prince of Wales are the only members of the royal family to have been given this special honor.
However, Camilla has been especially quiet in the issue regarding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's transition in the royal family. She was also not invited to the face-to-face meeting with Prince Harry, Prince William, Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth last Monday.
In the same way, Princess Anne has step aside when it came to this matter involving the Sussexes. In fact, when the Princess Royal was asked by a press member about Prince Harry and Meghan in one of her royal engagements, she brushed off the question and proceeded to go inside the event.
Princess Anne might not be as an advisor to Queen Elizabeth but she always spoke her mind and remains a key figure in the royal family. Daily Express stated that, during the crisis between Prince Charles and his first wife, Princess Diana, Princess Anne visited her mother every day to talk. Sources said that Princess Anne helped Queen Elizabeth calm down at a very tumultuous time.
Meanwhile, The Times reported that Princess Anne, along with Prince Edward, apparently, talked to the Queen about firing her private secretary for, allegedly, failing to handle Prince Harry and Meghan's split from the royal family. Reportedly, Sir Edward Young didn't have the same authoritative attitude like the Queen's former private secretary, Christopher Geidt.
Geidt, apparently, had the ability to tell Prince Charles and his sons the things they should hear. Young had no such personal authority. Thus, he was unable to protect the Queen from the shock, disappointment and hurt over Prince Harry and Meghan's decision.
