“Lonely woman who had to carve out her role in a world dominated by men”.

Thus the queen consort Camilla paid homage to Elizabeth II, recalling the memory of the " big blue eyes " and the "unforgettable" smile of the deceased sovereign.

Camilla's first speech since the death of Elizabeth II - September 8 at the age of 96 - should be broadcast in full by the BBC in the evening.

“It must have been so hard for her to be a single woman. There were no prime ministers or female presidents. She was the only one, so I think she has carved out her role , ”said the wife of King Charles III.

“She had these wonderful blue eyes that lit up her whole face when she smiled,” recalled Camilla, 75. “I will always remember his smile, it is unforgettable”.

Long unloved by the British for being Charles's lover when he was married to Princess Diana, Camilla slowly gained acclaim by engaging in violence against women or promoting reading.

Only last February Elizabeth II, who had not attended her civil marriage with Charles in 2005, gave her consent to become queen consort.

Last year less than half of Brits wanted Camilla to become queen. Now, according to a YouGov poll released this week , 53% of them now believe they will do a good job , while 18% think otherwise.

THE COUSINS AROUND THE IRON

Yesterday the eight cousins gathered around Grandma Elizabeth's coffin in Westminster Hall for a quarter of an hour, with their heads bowed. The adored William and Harry, Beatrice and Eugenia, the very affectionate daughters of Andrea, Zara Tindall and Peter Philips, the children of Princess Anna, and those of the Earl of Wessex, Lady Louise and Viscount Severn, the youngest.

Harry in full uniform, which he returned to wear after more than two years, authorized by his father Charles III. But he and Meghan were uninvited from the banquet to be held tonight at Buckingham Palace, reserved only for royals "on duty" .

THE HEADS OF STATE IN LONDON

Meanwhile, foreign leaders and heads of state begin to arrive for the funeral on Monday 19 September. The first to arrive were Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, with Australian colleagues Anthony Albanese and New Zealander Jacinda Arden. US President Joe Biden has also arrived, postponing the bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Liz Truss until Wednesday.

Then it was also time for Sergio Mattarella, who arrived in the British capital: today the formal reception with Charles III and Camilla, the solemn funeral on Monday. The Head of State is accompanied by his daughter Laura .

CRIMINATED THE MAN WHO WAS CLOSE TO THE IRON

Meanwhile, the man blocked and arrested on the night between Friday and Saturday in Westminster Hall was charged with the crime of " disturbing the public peace " for leaving the line of people paying homage to Queen Elizabeth and rushing towards the coffin, climbing running up the steps of the bier, and having grabbed the royal banner that surrounds it.

It is a 28-year-old man, Muhammad Khan , a resident of the East End of London. The indictment takes place on the basis of the Public Order Act and concerns the case of "behavior capable of causing alarm, annoyance and anxiety".

(Unioneonline / L)

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