Camilla’s character has won out – when she is crowned Queen it will be a day she has truly earned

IN the late 1970s I photographed Camilla for the first time when she competed in the same equestrian cross-country team as Charles.

Then Mrs Parker Bowles, she seemed a confident, charismatic woman, always smiling, and who didn’t seem phased by anything.

But I didn’t get to know her until she got engaged to Charles in 2005.

I photographed the royal pair at Windsor Castle.

When a reporter asked her if the prince had got down on one knee to pop the question, she replied with a wide grin: “Of course, what else?”

I loved her – she had that common touch with everyone and a brilliant sense of humour.

On their first overseas tour in 2005 someone handed Camilla a peach.

Usually royals pass anything they are given to an aide but she simply put it to her mouth and ate it.

On the same tour someone handed her a pen to sign something and she pretended she was not going to hand it back.

She was so much fun. I was photographing her at a tea party in Bristol in 2017 when I plucked up the courage to ask her to dance.

So we hit the dance floor for Shake, Rattle And Roll, and afterwards she quipped: “Thanks for the dance, Arthur.

"Don’t tell my husband.”

Most of the media will tell you she is the easiest person to work with – she always gives you the picture.

And you could see just how much Charles loves her in his face.

Camilla was famously the third person in his and Diana’s marriage, but crowds treated her with respect.

She won people over with her force of character.

I photographed her in Berlin last week and she looked amazing – regal is the only word for it.

At the state banquet she wore a black Bruce Oldfield evening dress with sparkling silver embroidery and she looked radiant.

She has long been ready for this role, and really looks the part.

When she is crowned Queen in May it will be a day she has truly earned.

And no one will be more proud of her than the King.