Exactly six months on from acquiring the most royal title of all, Queen Camilla has been given another crown. On International Women’s Day, she’s been named the most influential woman of the year by the Independent.
To mark #IWD, it’s drawn up a list of top 50 influencers for 2023 and Her Majesty gets the crowning glory. The Independent says its rundown is ”an eclectic, all-star mix” that doesn’t aim to replicate the lists which ”only focus on the women who empower and inspire”. This is all about the clout a woman wields in the world and celebrates those who ”exert unequivocal, unshakeable influence in their own distinctive ways.”
In its citation, the Independent says Queen Camilla has endured plenty of criticism in her time as a member of the Royal Family but has focused, calmly and diligently, on the causes that matter most to her. It highlights her ”soft power” to promote issues including women’s rights, literacy and the fight against sexual violence. And it underlines her focus on ”the desire to support others to succeed.”
And it notes that she is now, along with King Charles, at the head of the Royal Family, undeniably one of the most powerful groups in the country. The Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Sussex also make the top 50. So how influential are the royals in reality?
The reasons Queen Camilla has been chosen to head this list are interesting. This is all about the impact a woman can have right here and right now in 2023. The reason Her Majesty is seen as such an important figure in this rundown is all about how she is using the power that falls to her. While a medieval consort was expected to intercede for clemency with the monarch and support the arts and religion, the modern role echoes the issues that matter to people right now.
Hours after the list was published, Queen Camilla took to social media to highlight the power of women in society and to shine a spotlight on important work being done in areas including eradicating sexual violence and promoting literacy. The causes are all important ones that extend across a large swathe of society. And they all have an impact on thousands of lives every day. Royal support, especially at the very head of the House of Windsor, only increases the reach of the organisations that receive it.
But Queen Camilla’s influence goes further. In this list, another thing that is highlighted is her own, personal story. No one would argue that this particular path to a consort’s crown has been an easy one. But throughout some truly trying personal times, personal feelings have been kept behind palace doors and the focus has remained the royal role and the causes that need support.
It’s rather a good reason to find someone inspiring. And, as the paper notes, Queen Camilla’s influence and reach will only increase in the months to come as she becomes the focus of a global spotlight ahead of her Coronation, alongside King Charles III, at Westminster Abbey in May.
In the 21st century, in a time of change, it would seem that this queen really does reign supreme.
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