Queen Camilla's transformation from vilified mistress to highly-respected member of the Firm has been documentated in front of our eyes. With the King by her side, Camilla, 77, has expertly grown into her role, but credit for this transformation should also be shared with another key royal, according to an expert.

According to leading royal expert and author Robert Jobson, the late Queen Elizabeth II holds a very special place in her daughter-in-law's transformation. He told the Express: "Their story took a defining turn when Queen Elizabeth II, in a move of strategic foresight, secured Camilla’s place in history." He further explained: "By welcoming her into the Privy Council and publicly expressing her hope that Camilla would be styled Queen Consort, the late Queen reshaped both royal tradition and public perception.

"Preempting any backlash. This moment silenced lingering doubts and cemented Camilla’s evolution from outsider to indispensable royal figure."

In 2022, shortly before her death, the late Queen revealed that it was her "sincere wish" for Camilla to be known as Queen Consort once her eldest son became monarch. Camilla was villainised by the public in the early days of her relationship with Charles, due to their affair during his marriage to the late Princess Diana.

Grant Harrold, King Charles's former royal butler, also told the Express: "It was a huge thing to happen. The late Queen was very much a huge traditionalist and played things by the book in that things had to be done the correct way. She became Queen because technically her Uncle was abdicated, so she is all about tradition.

"The fact she allowed her to become consort, isn’t hugely surprising as there would have had to be an act of law to change the fact the Princess of Wales was his wife. I think this has always been a part of the plan.

"But for the Queen to publicly say it, it was almost mostly to assure those who may question it and to assure the Queen was behind it all. If the Queen was behind it, everyone was behind it. The Privy Council is a big thing as well."

He added: "It means if Queen Camilla’s husband, The King, is not able to fulfil his duties for whatever reason, there will be different members of the Royal family who will step in and act as a region. It’s a big deal she’s been put on that list as she will be acting as a monarch. But you have got William, Anne, Edward, Harry, so there’s quite a few privy councillors that have been put on that list."

The King and Queen, who are currently on a visit to Italy, are celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary today.