Camilla was affectionately nicknamed 'Lorraine' before she became queen, friends and family reveal – because they say she 'always saw the funny side even when Charles didn't'

Queen Camilla was affectionately nicknamed 'Lorraine' by family and friends – a play on the French for the Queen, la Reine.

The funny revelation comes in the latest episode of Robert Hardman's new biography of King Charles, published exclusively by the Daily Mail.

It focuses on Her Majesty's transition from long-term consort to royal bride and now to the throne.

It's something that has left her family and friends quite incredulous.

Her sister Annabel Elliot says she finds it virtually impossible to follow certain aspects of royal etiquette.

“I find it very difficult to bow to her,” she says. “And call her 'Your Majesty'?” I can not do that.'

At a time when there seemed to be no question of the then Duchess of Cornwall becoming queen, Hardman writes, her family nicknamed her 'Lorraine'. “She always saw the funny side of it, even if Prince Charles didn't,” says a friend.

This is in addition to her grandchildren's adorable nickname for her, Gaga.

Her change in circumstances came as a shock even to Camilla herself.

Hardman reveals that it took quite some time for the new queen to even respond to her new status.

Passing referrals, memos or questions to 'Her Majesty' would get a blank stare until it suddenly became clear they were talking about her.

Her presence had a particularly soothing effect on the king.

Hardman says, “Now people are afraid of upsetting the king. They know he can get very angry over very small things and they still have to figure out how he will react in certain situations. At the same time, they know that Queen Camilla is a strong voice of common sense in that regard.”

The King's old university friend, Lord Chartres, added: 'That's one of the reasons why Queen Camilla is so great. She can be robust in her views and that allows him to relax. When something goes wrong and you need to be nice, you need an intimate person who can talk you down.”

Among those supporting Queen Camilla, Hardman writes, is Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who was let down by her during his weekend at Balmoral – and feared he was laughing so hard he would break protocol.

“She's really funny and it was hard to keep the volume down at dinner because we were having so much fun,” he says.

Indeed, Camilla is described as an 'intrinsically happy character' who improves the mood around her 'and, more importantly, around the King'.

“She has a wonderful twinkle and it comes out very easily,” says the Marchioness of Lansdowne, one of her oldest friends. 'It puts people at ease very quickly. She knows when to wink at a bishop, and when not to. I find that a rather endearing quality.'

Her outspoken sister-in-law, Princess Anne, is also full of praise for the new queen.

“It has been much more difficult in every way for Queen Camilla, partly because she did not have the same level of preparation,” the Princess Royal said. 'But her understanding of her role and how much difference it makes to the King is absolutely excellent.

'And [there is] that undoubtedly made the difference for him during the entire process. I'm sure many people say to her what a difference she has made, but it really is true. I mean, I've known her a long time and I think she's been incredibly generous and understanding.”

The Queen has insisted on preserving some remnants of her previous life, particularly the Wiltshire home she moved to after her divorce from her first husband Andrew Parker Bowles, where her family gathers informally.

As her sister explains, “To the rest of the family, it sometimes seems completely surreal. But she, thank goodness, has her own downtime. She is a wonderful mother and grandmother. She is very, very practical.

'All our children have grown up very much together. It's almost like one family, so she's back to her normal self when she's with all of us. I mean, otherwise she wouldn't get away with it!

“There's quite a bit of irreverence: 'You're not the queen for us,' and so on. There are a lot of them – thank God.”

About her relationship with the king, she adds: 'She is his rock, and I really can't emphasize that enough. She is completely loyal and she is not someone with huge highs and lows.

“They're just like any couple that's been together for a long time. Lots of jokes and arguments… They are yin and yang. They're really polar opposites, but I think it works brilliantly. And you know, I go back to the thing of humor. She actually makes him laugh.”

As a couple, they are also tolerant of each other's pet habits: the king likes to keep the windows open when a cold breeze flows through the house, while his wife prefers her space “like a sauna.”

“There's an ongoing battle about it,” says Annabel Elliot. 'He must have opened it. She [Camilla] will crawl behind it and close it. So there's a lot of, 'Oh honey, close the window.' “Yes, I did, because we're all freezing.” So there's a lot of chatter going on.'

The queen also chooses not to follow her husband's discipline by skipping lunch.

'She'll be furious with me, but she's not as disciplined as he is when it comes to eating or drinking. Maybe she has that extra glass or that extra cookie or whatever,” her sister reveals.

Old royal hands say Queen Camilla is increasingly reminding them of Prince Philip: her resolute determination not to be the star of the show and her cheerful determination to become KBO. [keep buggering on] – even considering Prince Harry's recent attacks on her, which have been met with thunderous silence.

Annabel Elliot says: 'It's obviously been a long journey, and I'm extremely proud of her… She's an incredibly stoic, strong person. I'm not sure many people would have been that strong during this time.”

Charles III: new king, new court. The Inside Story' by Robert Hardman is published by Macmillan on January 18 for £22.