Let’s talk about Camilla Parker Bowles for a moment. She’s been an official member of the British royal family since 2005, but despite that, she still gets a bad rap. A lot of people can’t seem to shake the image of her as the "other woman" in the infamous love triangle with Prince Charles and Princess Diana. But guess what? In a newly uncovered interview, Camilla’s stepson, Prince Harry, had some heartfelt words to say about her, shedding light on who she really is.

Harry Opens Up About Camilla: She’s Not the “Wicked Stepmother”

Prince Harry, always one to speak his mind, has come to the defense of his stepmom in a way that might surprise some. In an interview from years ago (recently unearthed by the UK’s Express), Harry set the record straight about Camilla Parker Bowles. He didn’t just say she’s misunderstood; he outright declared she’s far from the "wicked stepmother" stereotype that some people have pinned on her.

Here’s what Harry had to say: “To be honest, she’s always been very close to me and [Prince William]. She’s not a wicked stepmother. Look at the position she’s coming into. Don’t feel sorry for me and William, feel sorry for her.” Now, that’s a pretty powerful statement, isn’t it? Harry was only 33 when he made these remarks, but his words carry a lot of weight. He wasn’t just defending Camilla; he was asking the public to rethink their perception of her entirely.

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Camilla’s Journey: A Complicated Love Story

Let’s take a step back and look at how Camilla and Charles even ended up together. Their story isn’t exactly a fairy tale—it’s more like a soap opera. Camilla and Charles first crossed paths in 1971 through a mutual friend when Charles was in his early twenties. They hit it off quickly, but here’s the thing: the royal family reportedly wasn’t thrilled about their budding romance. Fast forward to 1973, and the couple parted ways.

What happened next? Camilla went on to marry Andrew Parker Bowles in July 1973, and Charles tied the knot with Princess Diana in July 1981. But here’s where things get tricky. Despite being married to other people, Charles and Camilla’s feelings for each other never completely faded. Their affair eventually became public knowledge in 1992, and well, let’s just say it didn’t paint the royals in the best light.

After their respective divorces and the tragic death of Princess Diana in August 1997, Charles and Camilla’s relationship came out of the shadows. They announced their royal engagement in February 2005 and were married in April of the same year. It wasn’t an easy road, but they’ve been together ever since.

Harry’s Final Thoughts: Camilla Deserves Credit

Harry didn’t stop there in his defense of Camilla. He went on to say, “She’s a wonderful woman and she’s made our father very, very happy, which is the most important thing. William and I love her to bits.” That’s a pretty big endorsement coming from someone who’s lived through the drama firsthand.

Think about it from Camilla’s perspective for a moment. It couldn’t have been easy for Charles to tell his sons that the woman often blamed for the breakup of his marriage to their mother was about to become their stepmother. That conversation probably didn’t go over well at first, but journalist Angela Levin noted in her book Harry: Conversations with the Prince that Harry eventually came around. He accepted that Camilla had been a constant presence in his father’s life and grew to genuinely like her. Levin added that Harry has always had the ability to see things from other people’s perspectives—a trait that’s clearly served him well in understanding Camilla’s role in the family.

prince harry camilla parker bowles — Getty Images

At the end of the day, Harry’s words remind us that relationships—especially in the royal family—are complex. Camilla Parker Bowles may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s clear that she’s earned a place in the hearts of Charles, Harry, and William. And honestly? That’s pretty remarkable.