Queen Camilla could one day have an airport bearing her name and if Dolly Parton can inspire such a tribute in America, there is a case to be made for Britain doing the same.
Camilla’s supporters would argue that her contribution to public life deserves recognition in its own right, rather than being viewed solely through her role as King Charles’s wife.
Over the past two decades, the Queen’s public standing has changed dramatically.
She has steadily built a reputation as a hardworking and down-to-earth member of the Royal Family, taking on a wide range of causes close to her heart.
Her supporters point in particular to her campaign against violence towards women and girls and her work with charities and organisations tackling issues affecting some of the most vulnerable members of society.
Her role has also been especially important within the Royal Family itself.
As King Charles continues to carry out his duties while undergoing cancer treatment, Camilla has provided a crucial source of personal support.
She has spoken publicly about the difficulty of learning of his diagnosis while having to maintain a public schedule without revealing what she knew.
Her story also has an unexpected parallel with the late King Harald V of Norway, who died aged 89 last week.
Harald famously insisted on marrying Sonja Haraldsen, a commoner, despite his father King Olav initially opposing the match.
He reportedly made it clear that if he could not marry the woman he loved, he would not marry at all.
His father eventually relented, and Harald and Sonja went on to enjoy 58 years of marriage.
Camilla’s own marriage to Charles in 2005 similarly proved to be a far more enduring partnership than many once expected.
And then Parton, who died last week, was remembered not only for her music but for her extraordinary philanthropy.
Having grown up in poverty with a father who could not read or write, Parton made literacy one of her defining causes and established her Imagination Library, which has provided millions of free books to children.
Her appeal crossed political and cultural divides, with tributes coming from figures on both the left and right.
2026-09-01 13:35:00
