King Charles III and Queen Camilla are leading "largely separate lives" despite public appearances suggesting unity during the monarch's cancer treatment, according to multiple reports citing sources close to the royal household.
Friends of the couple told RadarOnline that the King and Queen, who will welcome U.S. President Donald Trump for a state visit this week, are "divorced in everything but name." The arrangement is said to be a long-standing one, with Camilla preferring to spend much of her private time at Ray Mill House, her $1.2 million home in Wiltshire, while Charles divides his time between Highgrove and Clarence House.
"They are putting on a united front in public, especially because Charles is ill, but behind the scenes it's a very different picture," one source said. "Camilla lives at Ray Mill most of the time, while Charles retreats to Highgrove or Clarence House. It's a marriage of appearances and public relations optics at this stage."
Camilla, 77, purchased Ray Mill House in 1994 after her divorce from Andrew Parker Bowles and has kept the property even after marrying Charles in 2005. The residence, complete with a swimming pool and sprawling gardens, serves as a base for her children and grandchildren. Friends describe it as a "world away from the pressures of the crown," offering the Queen a sense of freedom and independence.
Photographer Chris Jackson underscored Camilla's preference for the estate when he released her birthday portraits this summer, noting she was "happy and relaxed at home in Ray Mill, Wiltshire" with her rescue dog, Moley.
Royal commentators say the arrangement reflects the understanding Charles and Camilla had from the beginning of their relationship. "Right from the start, they agreed they each needed their own retreats," one insider said. "At first, it was what kept the marriage balanced, but now it seems less like a mutual decision and more like proof of how separate their lives have become."
Those close to the royal household emphasize that Camilla remains committed to supporting her husband publicly, particularly given his health challenges. But privately, she is said to value her independence more than ever. "They remain committed in their own way, but it's not the kind of marriage most people would recognize," another source said. "At this point, it's the crown that binds them - not the relationship itself."
