Queen Camilla’s Hidden Health Battle: The Day She Broke Her Leg

Queen Camilla has taken on a significant role as her husband, King Charles, undergoes treatment for cancer. The couple recently celebrated their 19th wedding anniversary, and fans are hoping for many more years together.

Camilla, formerly known as Parker-Bowles, has had a rocky journey within the royal family. Once criticized for her affair with the future king, leading to a strained public image, Camilla is now a beloved and respected member of the royal family, committed to her royal duties.

While King Charles has faced several health challenges, Queen Camilla’s health issues have been less known. Though she has dealt with COVID twice and even suffered a broken toe while attending Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, her health history also includes numerous hospital visits. One incident occurred in Scotland when she fell into a hole, and locals had to rescue her.

Camilla’s journey to becoming Queen was not easy. Her love story with King Charles began while he was still married to Princess Diana. Their marriage officially ended in December 1992, but soon after, a private phone call between Charles and Camilla became public, revealing their close relationship even before his separation from Diana.

The reaction to the affair was overwhelmingly negative, especially since Diana was a national icon. The scandal not only hurt Charles but also led to Camilla facing harsh criticism. Many saw her as the one who ruined Charles and Diana’s marriage. The 1989 phone call confirmed that Charles and Camilla had been involved while Charles was still married to Diana, and Camilla had also been unfaithful to her husband, Andrew Parker Bowles.

At first, Camilla wasn’t popular with the public, nor was she favored by Queen Elizabeth. In 2018, journalist Tom Bower revealed that Queen Elizabeth didn’t want to engage with Camilla initially, and Charles had to ask his mother to soften her stance to allow him to live freely with Camilla. This, however, led to a tense situation between Charles and the Queen.

Camilla faced intense public mistreatment after the affair was revealed. According to royal expert Angela Levin, Camilla had to avoid public outings to escape cruel treatment. People even gave her harsh nicknames like “rottweiler.” Charles, who was often away for work, didn’t realize how difficult it was for her until much later. He then arranged for Camilla to have personal protection.

As time passed, Camilla gained public favor and became more accepted. However, Angela Levin believes that Camilla likely still carries the emotional scars from this difficult period.

Today, Camilla has become a crucial figure in the royal family, especially as she takes on many responsibilities while King Charles focuses on his health. Despite her busy schedule, Camilla has had her own health struggles. At 76, she’s had her share of challenges, including worrying symptoms that have caused concern among her supporters.

One of Camilla’s key health concerns is osteoporosis, a condition that causes bones to become weak and brittle. She has worked with the Royal Osteoporosis Society for many years, raising awareness about the condition. Camilla’s dedication to osteoporosis is personal, as both her mother and grandmother passed away due to the disease.

Camilla herself may be at risk for osteoporosis. According to the Mayo Clinic, having a close relative with the disease increases the risk of developing it. Camilla has been proactive in maintaining her health, practicing yoga and Pilates, which are both recommended for older adults. She also enjoys walking, which is a gentle form of exercise that helps maintain physical and mental health.

In a 2017 interview, Camilla spoke about the importance of staying active as you age. She emphasized that yoga and Pilates help with flexibility and muscle stiffness, which is crucial as we get older. Camilla and King Charles also enjoy walking in nature, which helps with fitness, mental well-being, and sleep.

Along with osteoporosis, Camilla has dealt with other health issues. She has had recurring problems with sinusitis, and in 2012, she had to cancel several engagements due to a severe sinus infection. In 2007, she also had a hysterectomy.

One of the most well-known incidents occurred in 2010 when Camilla fractured her leg while walking in Scotland. She fell in slippery conditions near Balmoral and had to be taken to the hospital for treatment. Camilla was later seen using a wheelchair for royal engagements as she recovered.

A year later, writer Bob Colacello revealed in Vanity Fair that Camilla had fallen into a hole while walking in the Scottish moors and was rescued by two women who stayed with her until help arrived. Camilla was very grateful for their kindness and even sent them champagne as a thank-you gift.

Camilla’s resilience continued in 2022 when, despite a broken toe, she pushed through her royal duties. A source revealed that Camilla was in considerable pain but kept working through it. She had to stand for long periods during official events, showing her dedication to her royal responsibilities even while injured.

Queen Camilla’s journey has not been easy, but she continues to serve with strength and determination. Her dedication to her health and her royal duties shows the depth of her commitment to her role.