Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall poses with Chelsea Pensioners and a cake which has representations of her racing colours and favorite pets as the Duchess celebrates her 75th birthday at a lunch, hosted by the Oldie Magazine at the National Liberal Club LONDON (AP) - Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, will celebrate her 75th birthday Sunday, marking the occasion with a small family dinner at Prince Charles’ Highgrove estate in southwest England.The big occasion follows British broadcaster ITV’s release of a documentary about the duchess’s stint as guest editor of Country Life, during which she helped produce a special edition celebrating the magazine’s 125th anniversary.
In a personal tribute, Camilla selected Charles, her husband, as one of her rural heroes."It’s not easy to write about your husband,’’ she said in the film. "I bit through several pencils."The milestone birthday comes at a time when the monarchy, and Camilla’s place in it, are in a generational transition.
As the 96-year-old Queen Elizabeth II soldiers on during her twilight years, other members of the royal household are taking on new roles with more responsibilities.At the time of her birth, Elizabeth's family did not expect she would become the queen of England at just 25 years old.Six months ago, in a statement marking her 70 years on the throne, Queen Elizabeth II expressed her "sincere wish" that Camilla would be known as "Queen Consort" when her son succeeds her.