Within the grand and carefully maintained halls of Buckingham Palace, where royal smiles are rehearsed and every public appearance is meticulously choreographed, there are quiet murmurs behind closed doors. These whispers, often dismissed as palace gossip, now speak of a subtle but strategic power play allegedly led by Queen Camilla. While her public image is that of a gentle, doting grandmother who embraces her role with grace, insiders suggest that behind the scenes, she is orchestrating a campaign to elevate her biological granddaughters, Lola Parker Bowles and Eliza Lopes, in a manner that seemingly sidelines Princess Charlotte, the only daughter of Prince William and Princess Catherine. According to sources close to the royal household, Camilla’s actions may go far beyond mere favoritism. Her influence reportedly stretches into decisions involving everything from extravagant celebrations to the questionable allocation of royal heirlooms—acts that some believe verge on manipulation.
Lola Parker Bowles, born in 2007 to Camilla’s son Tom Parker Bowles, is often spoken of as the favored grandchild. Camilla once told a magazine that she plays Wordle with Lola every day, racing to see who finishes the puzzle first. While this anecdote was initially seen as a charming peek into their relationship, palace observers interpret it as evidence of Camilla grooming Lola for a life of public prominence.
Similarly, Eliza Lopes, born in 2008 to Camilla’s daughter Laura, gained national attention when she served as a bridesmaid at Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding. With Camilla’s support, both girls are reportedly being carefully placed in the public eye, enjoying a level of royal exposure and privilege that their lack of titles or place in the line of succession would not ordinarily afford.
Allegations of favoritism first gained traction following what has been dubbed “the January takeover,” which coincided with Lola’s birthday on January 16th. Instead of a modest celebration, Queen Camilla is said to have transformed the occasion into a month-long spectacle rivaling official royal events. The Household Division was allegedly instructed to perform a ceremonial salute outside Kensington Palace, which was rebranded for the day as “Lola’s Guard of Honor.” The grand ballroom of Buckingham Palace was booked for an entire week of lavish themed parties featuring a Parisian circus troupe, intricate puzzle stations, and a life-size ice sculpture of Lola atop a pony. Events even extended to Windsor Castle and Highgrove House, each venue tailored to suit Lola’s personal hobbies and preferences, including pony shows and competitive games.
While Lola’s birthday celebrations were in full swing, Prince William and Princess Catherine’s major initiative for a children’s mental health campaign, planned for February 2025, was effectively derailed. Resources and personnel normally assigned to royal engagements—such as media teams, florists, and caterers—had already been committed to Lola’s festivities.
The Wales’ campaign launch received little press attention, and behind the scenes, it became clear that internal support had been redirected elsewhere. Charlotte’s own birthday celebration in May was affected as well. After the grandeur of Lola’s January affair, Camilla allegedly claimed that the royal household could not fund another elaborate event so soon. As a result, Charlotte’s birthday was reduced to a modest family gathering, a familiar scenario following the previous year’s scaled-down picnic in lieu of a proper party.
More troubling are the allegations that Queen Camilla has redirected royal jewelry and heirlooms, originally intended for Princess Charlotte and her family, to Lola and Eliza instead. One incident involved a sapphire brooch gifted by a Middle Eastern royal family to Princess Charlotte; it was later seen worn by Eliza at a school function. Camilla brushed off inquiries, calling it a borrowed accessory. Other examples include a pair of diamond earrings from the royal collection that were meant for Catherine to wear at a state banquet but instead gifted to Lola on her birthday.
A gold bracelet, reportedly a christening gift for Prince Louis from a Commonwealth leader, ended up in Lola’s possession. Particularly unsettling were cases where heirlooms tied to Princess Diana’s memory—seen as part of Charlotte’s future legacy—were repurposed. A tiara once worn by Diana, thought to be reserved for Charlotte’s coming-of-age debut, was seen on Eliza during a private dinner. A pearl necklace, a personal gift from Queen Elizabeth II to Charlotte, appeared around Lola’s neck at a polo event. Even a silver locket engraved with Charlotte’s initials was spotted being worn by Eliza during a parade dedicated to Lola.
Camilla’s public demeanor during royal events has also come under scrutiny. At a Commonwealth Day service, Lola reportedly wore a ruby ring meant for Catherine, and Eliza was seen wearing the same sapphire brooch originally intended for Charlotte. During a palace garden party, Camilla openly complimented Lola’s necklace, which had been reworked from Princess Diana’s tiara into a choker, while ignoring Charlotte, who stood quietly nearby in a simple dress. A leaked photo of Eliza wearing Charlotte’s pearl necklace in a school play ignited outrage when the caption read, “Family heirlooms find a new home.”
As the visible gap in treatment between Lola and Eliza compared to Charlotte grew more apparent, the public and press began to take notice. Reports suggest that the Wales family became increasingly distressed by Camilla’s actions. Princess Catherine allegedly confronted Camilla directly, only to be met with a dismissive remark: “You’ll have your turn when I’m done.” Media outlets began documenting incidents that painted Camilla in a controversial light. At Trooping the Colour 2022, Camilla reportedly scolded Charlotte in the royal carriage, telling her, “Stop showing off. It’s not your day,” which visibly upset the young princess. In contrast, Camilla praised Lola for being poised and reserved. On Charlotte’s 8th birthday in 2023, she received a simple fairy tale book, while Eliza was gifted a luxury jewelry set for her 15th birthday. This disparity was widely interpreted as a deliberate signal about who Camilla considered more deserving of celebration.
During the coronation of 2023, Camilla reportedly lobbied—unsuccessfully—for Lola and Eliza to participate by holding the ceremonial canopy during her anointing. Though the request was denied, it revealed her intentions to place her granddaughters in central ceremonial roles, potentially diminishing Charlotte’s presence. Camilla also publicly spoke about school pickups involving one of her granddaughters, assumed to be Eliza, while never acknowledging Charlotte in similar contexts. At a family event in 2024, Camilla was overheard saying, “Lola has a natural grace Charlotte could only dream of,” a comment that deeply hurt the young princess.
Beyond her current actions, Queen Camilla is said to be laying the groundwork for her granddaughters’ long-term prominence. Reports claim she is encouraging Lola to engage in charitable work modeled after Princess Diana’s humanitarian legacy. Eliza, meanwhile, may be groomed for a formal position within the royal household, possibly as a lady-in-waiting or royal aide. Some speculate that Camilla envisions marriages into noble families or even foreign royalty for the girls, establishing an influential legacy that could one day rival that of the Wales children. These alleged ambitions suggest that Camilla may be seeking to rewrite the royal narrative with her lineage at its center.
The growing scandal finally triggered a formal response. Amid escalating tensions and public scrutiny, Prince William ordered an internal inquiry into Queen Camilla’s behavior. The investigation reportedly confirmed that she had misused royal resources and redirected heirlooms meant for Charlotte and her siblings.
As a result, the confiscated items were returned to the royal collection in a move seen as an attempt to restore fairness and uphold the dignity of the monarchy. While the long-term impact on Camilla’s reputation remains uncertain, the episode has left a lasting mark on the perception of her role within the royal family—and raised uncomfortable questions about favoritism, power, and legacy behind palace walls.