Queen Camilla actresses ranked from The Crown to The Windsors
Queen Camilla has been portrayed on screen by many stars over the years.
Although Queen Camilla never sought the spotlight she found herself thrust into it thanks to her relationship with the now King Charles. Ever since she was exposed as the "third person" in the marriage of Charles and Diana she has been subject to scrutiny. She also immediately became part of the bigger story of the royal family meaning she has featured as a character in many TV shows and films.
While Camilla, who turns 79 on July 17, has a very distinctive look and mannerisms, the actresses who have played her could not be more different. From comedy legends to Oscar winners each woman who has tackled the part has been incredibly talented. However all performances are not created equal and some are head and shoulders above others. Some have also been hindered by poor scripts or lacklustre production. Express.co.uk watched several of the performances and rated them from worst to best.
5. Jean Smart - William & Catherine: A Royal Romance
Hacks star Jean Smart played Camilla to Titanic star Victor Garber's Charles in this 2011 Hallmark drama about Prince William and Princess Catherine's relationship. She was quoted as saying: "I really liked the way she was portrayed in the script, and a very sympathetic, likeable character, and I thought she deserved that." Sadly the whole production is a very American take on a very British institution, and even comedy icon Jean can't save it.
(Image: Getty)4. Julia St. John - Princess in Love
This 1996 TV movie told the story of Princess Diana's affair with James Hewitt. Casualty and Brittas Empire star Julia St. John played "other woman" Camilla. The film has the ignominy of having no rating on Rotten Tomatoes and to say the reviews are lukewarm is being kind. Like the rest of the cast Julia did her best with the material but her Camilla falls very flat.
(Image: Getty)3. Olivia Williams - The Crown (season five and six)
The Sixth Sense star Olivia Williams took over the role of Camilla for the final two seasons of The Crown and her take was very different to her predecessors.
She picked up the story at a difficult time for Camilla when the public were very much against her and she played her as angst riddled and angry over the hand she had been dealt.
(Image: Netflix)2. Emerald Fennell - The Crown (season three and four)
Emerald Fennell has enjoyed such success as a director and screenwriter, even winning the Best Original Screenplay Oscar in 2021 for Promising Young Woman, it is easy to forget she is also a talented actress.
She played a younger version of Camilla in The Crown for season three and four and brought a vivacious energy to the role. She made the character the kind of person you'd want to share a gin and tonic and a giggle with.
(Image: Netflix)1. Haydn Gwynne - The Windsors
Haydn Gwynne played a parody version of Camilla in Channel 4's raucous comedy The Windsors and her portrayal was truly delicious. She seemed to be having great fun playing her as a scheming social climber who is trying to seize the crown (Queen Elizabeth was still alive when the show aired).
Despite the satirical nature of the show, she still managed to bring a certain amount of reverence to the art and although Camilla was a "villain" she was also one of the characters you would like to hang out with. A genius performance.
(Image: Channel 4)