Queen Camilla is happiest when she’s drooling in jeans, writes ANGELA LEVIN. No wonder it took her twelve months to get to grips with her fabulous new royal wardrobe!

Camilla never had much interest in formal clothing, preferring jeans or old-fashioned country clothes. She never showed the slightest sign of following fashion trends.

So the Queen has come a long way in a short time, as her formal appearances now make clear, particularly in her carefully chosen wardrobe for the recent state visit to France where, perhaps for the first time, she was recognized as looking good. part.

Whether it was the pink Barbie outfit for her arrival or the deep blue Dior gown and sapphires – Queen Elizabeth’s – that she wore to the state banquet, Camilla dressed with the right (and very careful) touch of drama that made her new role required . She looked royal.

Camilla looking immaculate in her riding gear taking a break while riding the Beautfort Hunt in 1996

Camilla in jeans is a rare sight, but she was suitably dressed for a pheasant shooting party at Sandringham House in November 2006

How did this come about? Camilla’s attitude towards clothes changed for the first time when the 21st century began. She and Prince Charles were steadily being accepted as a couple and Camilla knew she would be scrutinized.

“She did a fantastic job,” her younger sister Annabel said at the time.

But she did so cautiously – understandably.

Of course, like any girl from her wealthy background, Camilla always knew how to dress, especially when invited to major social events.

But that’s not the same as managing a huge and expensive wardrobe for public and ceremonial effect.

if she hadn’t started from scratch, she would have been little more than pottering around the fashion department – perhaps at a speed of just 10 miles per hour.

Many women would have jumped at the chance to update their wardrobe, especially if there was no limit to the cost.

But Camilla needed a whole year to develop her own image, think about the different demands that would be placed on her and then dress appropriately.

Apparently happier to impress with headgear, Camilla has chosen huge hats with feathers or fascinators to ensure she is seen.

Maybe an easier choice for her than clothes.

Bruce Oldfield, who became one of her favorite couture designers, was particularly helpful, but he gave me an example of her great caution.

For years, Camilla rejected anything pink, he explained, partly because she believed Charles wouldn’t like it, sticking instead to creams, soft blues and greens.

Oldfield kept trying to convince her and she finally gave in – and it turned out that Charles loved the color and thought she looked great.

Hence the confidence in the Barbie-esque pink outfit for her visit to France. It could have been a risky fashion choice, but she looked fantastic.

There was another change in her approach when she became queen, just over a year ago.

Previously, Camilla had rarely taken risks, especially when accompanying her husband or being a patron of the group she was visiting.

To be on the safe side, she usually opted for dark blue dresses that looked a bit teacher-like, but allowed for easy movement.

Now she knows she will be seen – and indeed must be seen to fulfill her role as the monarch’s consort. And that, in turn, means embracing a touch of royal theatricality.

On a sweltering Ascot day, Camilla was a dream in cream and the matching cream hat with feathers resulted in a perfect outfit that looked both beautiful and practical in the heat

The Queen’s mint feather hat on day three of Ascot was a stunning sight and she paired it beautifully with a matching dress and pearl necklace

Camilla had some trouble getting off the plane in Paris due to high winds, but she just managed to hold on to her hat and keep her Fiona Clare skirt from flying up.

But all this cannot be comfortable for a woman who, even on formal occasions, prefers to walk around in comfortable bunion-busting pumps.

It certainly can’t be easy getting off a plane while holding your hat and bag in a stiff breeze in high heels.

The thing is, she’s had to learn, and I’m sure it hasn’t been easy. Perhaps even more proof of how far she is willing to go to keep her man happy

• Camilla by Angela Levin is published by Simon and Schuster