• October 31, 2005
• Vol. 64
• No. 18

Camilla: Farewell to Frump?

And They Said It Couldn't Be Done: the Duchess of Cornwall, Once Dependably Dowdy, Stuns Britain with a Sense of Style

Historically speaking, some words never seem to belong together. Among them: low-fat Dutch chocolate, Olympic weight-lifter Michael Jackson and style-setter Camilla Parker Bowles.

That last part may be changing. The first hint came on April 9, when Parker Bowles said her I do's to Prince Charles in a whimsical Philip Treacy hat and a stylish Robinson Valentine ensemble. In their May issue Harpers & Queen even gave the now Duchess of Cornwall a best-dressed nod, next to such names as Angelina Jolie. If she seems fresher, says her makeup artist Julia Biddlecome, it may be thanks in part to the light-reflecting makeup Camilla's now using. Her hair colorist Jo Hansford also cites marital contentment. "That look we're seeing lately is of pure happiness," Hansford says. "She is absolutely glowing."

Americans can judge for themselves in early November, when Camilla and Charles visit the U.S. for the first time as man and wife.

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SEPT. 10 Camilla (at her son Tom's wedding) now "exudes a gentle confidence," says Majesty magazine editor-in-chief Ingrid Seward.

JUNE 23 For William's graduation from St. Andrew's, Camilla accompanied Charles in a summer-green suit.

JULY 4 The couple cut a ribbon at the opening of a museum. Camilla is still sporting the softer blonde shade that colorist Jo Hansford gave her for the wedding. "I wanted her hair to look fabulous and have shine," she says. "She has a lovely face and bone structure, and that's now being shown to the public."

JULY 8 The public saw Camilla's softer side when she visited with a bombing victim at a London hospital.

JULY 10 "She's definitely a hat person," says U.K. designer Elizabeth Emanuel of Camilla (on the Buckingham Palace balcony with Charles and Harry).

JULY 22 Bottoms up: Prince and Duchess enjoy a pint on a visit to Suffolk. "Theirs is a real love story," says Hansford.

OCT. 5 Camilla, in a funky skirt and velvet jacket, chats with Jude Law at a London art gallery. "She's got a specific look," says Emanuel. "It's very English lady but not fussy."

I really LOVE my... PHILIP TREACY DOCTOR'S BAG

Given as a gift by the designer in April, the lizard-skin carryall is more stylish than your average purse and roomy enough to suit Camilla's practical side. It's in hand everywhere, from a trip to a farm (left) to more formal outings, like her visit to a Wales hospital (far right). Similar versions sell for about $3,600.