EXCLUSIVE: Queen Camilla 'Feels She Has Won Popularity Battle With Princess Kate'
Queen Camilla reportedly felt she had won the popularity battle with Princess Kate.
Aug. 23 2026, Published 5:00 p.m. ET
Queen Camilla is said to be feeling she has finally won her long-running popularity battle with Princess Kate after the triumphant reception she received during her US tour with King Charles, sources have exclusively told Radaronline.com.
Camilla, 79, reportedly feels victorious after her recent four-day American visit with King Charles, 77, to the US was greeted as a diplomatic triumph.
Queen Camilla Gains Confidence Following Successful US Visit
Queen Camilla completed a four-day diplomatic tour of the United States.
During the visit, the Queen was photographed laughing with President Donald Trump, 80, and First Lady Melania Trump, 56, at the White House and mingling with Anna Wintour and Sarah Jessica Parker at the New York Public Library.
One royal source told us: "Camilla returned from America with a renewed sense of confidence about her standing, both within the monarchy and with the public.
"For a long time, she has been acutely aware that Kate attracts a level of excitement and affection that can overshadow almost everyone else in the family. But the reception Camilla received in the US has changed her outlook considerably.
"She felt people were genuinely interested in her, rather than simply viewing her as the King's wife, and she saw firsthand that she could generate headlines and goodwill in her own right. After years of worrying that she could never compete with Kate's popularity, Camilla now believes she has established her own place in the public's affections and effectively won her popularity battle with Kate.
"She has come away feeling that the enormous gap she once perceived between them has narrowed dramatically – and, privately, there's a sense that she finally feels she's won that particular fight."
The successful US trip came three years after Camilla was crowned alongside Charles following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Camilla faced the formidable challenge of establishing herself after Elizabeth's 70-year reign while Catherine, Princess of Wales, 44, enjoyed enormous public popularity.
Establishing Her Own Footing After Decades Of Public Scrutiny
The Queen gained strong public goodwill during her four-day tour.
Another palace source added: "Camilla has never forgotten how uncertain her position once was or how long it took for her to feel genuinely embraced by the public. She spent years knowing there were people who would never accept her, while at the same time watching Kate become one of the most popular and admired members of the royal family almost effortlessly.
"That's why the response in America has been such an important moment for her. She wasn't simply accompanying Charles to the US – she was attracting attention, winning praise and connecting with people in her own right.
"Camilla feels she has put in years of hard work to earn that acceptance and that she's finally seeing the rewards. There's a real sense of vindication for her. Instead of constantly measuring herself against Kate or worrying about being overshadowed by her, she now feels secure enough to believe she has established her own popularity and doesn't need to remain in anyone else's shadow."
That newfound confidence is said to have reinforced Camilla's determination she and Charles should continue leading the monarchy rather than allowing attention to shift prematurely toward the next generation.
Kate Focuses On Her Family, Health, and Early-Childhood Work
The Princess of Wales attended the star-studded BAFTA Film Awards.
Kate, meanwhile, has gradually increased her public appearances after announcing last year that she was in remission following her cancer treatment.
She has joined Prince William, 44, at the BAFTA Film Awards, attended the Nigeria State Banquet and participated in events commemorating the centenary of the late Queen's birth.
Kate has also announced plans to travel to Italy for her first solo overseas visit since her 2024 cancer diagnosis, focusing on her longstanding early-childhood work.
Sources insist Kate does not regard herself as competing with Camilla.
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The Princess planned her first solo overseas trip to focus on childhood work.
One claimed: "Kate simply doesn't view this through the same competitive lens that Camilla apparently does. She isn't impatiently waiting in the wings or looking for opportunities to establish herself as the most important woman in the royal family.
"Kate understands perfectly well what the future holds for her and William, and she knows there is absolutely no reason to rush towards it. If anything, she wants Charles and Camilla to enjoy a long and successful reign because that gives her the time and space to concentrate on her family, her health and the causes she cares deeply about.
"Her focus is on supporting the King and Queen and fulfilling her own responsibilities to the Crown.
"The idea that she needs to beat Camilla in some sort of royal popularity contest would seem completely alien to her. Other people may obsess over who's getting the biggest crowds or the most flattering headlines, but Kate isn't keeping score."
