Princess Anne makes rare comments about sister-in-law Camilla, who she has been ‘known on and off’ for years – and admits she is not a ‘natural’ at the role of queen, but is ‘very good’ at it

Princess Anne has praised her sister-in-law Queen Camilla for her “excellent” understanding of her royal role in a new documentary.

The Princess Royal, 73, honored the Queen, 75, in the BBC film, which aired on Boxing Day and followed King Charles in his coronation year.

Featuring unseen behind-the-scenes footage and exclusive interviews with key officials, family and senior royals, it captures the galloping pace of the past twelve months.

King Charles’ younger sister, who is known for her protective role over the monarch, had warm words for the woman at his side as she spoke in the documentary.

She marveled at Camilla’s willingness to immerse herself in the role and her ability to adapt to what was required of her.

In the documentary, Anne said: ‘I’ve known her for a long time. “Her understanding of the role and how much of a difference it makes to the King has been absolutely excellent,” she said.

“This role is not something she would come naturally to, but she does it very well. She provides that change of speed and tone, which is just as important.’

Anne said in the documentary that it was difficult for her brother, despite a lifetime of waiting, to fully prepare for the moment he would ascend the throne. The documentary was written and co-produced for Oxford Films by The Mail’s royal expert Robert Hardman.

Elsewhere in the film, the late queen’s only daughter revealed her mother was concerned about the death at Balmoral as she feared it would be difficult to organize her funeral.

The Princess Royal noted that she and Camilla have known each other “on and off” for several years

But her family convinced her to do what felt right, according to a documentary about King Charles’ first year as monarch, which will be shown on BBC One on Boxing Day.

In a moving clip, Anne talks about her mother’s death and how she felt when she saw the Imperial State Crown removed from the Queen’s coffin for the last time at St George’s Chapel in Windsor. “I felt a rather strange sense of relief – that’s it, done,” she said. “That responsibility is being shifted.”

The Princess Royal, who remained exceptionally close to the late Queen throughout her life, also said: ‘I think there was a point where she felt like it would be harder if she died at Balmoral.

“I think we tried to convince her that this shouldn’t be part of the decision-making process.”

Many thought it appropriate that the Queen died at Balmoral because she had such a deep love for the Scottish Highlands.

Shortly before her death in September last year, she was visited by Dr Iain Greenshields, the moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, who afterwards said she told her it gave her ‘a lot of peace and pleasure to be’. at Balmoral’.

The Princess Royal revealed it was ‘pure serendipity’ that she was at the monarch’s side when she died. She explained that she had only stopped at Balmoral Castle on her way back south after spending a few days on the west coast of Scotland.