Duchess Camilla and Emerald Fennell meet—Royal’s hilarious joke about star who played her in The Crown

Duchess Camilla and Emerald Fennell meet at last—Royal’s joke brings the house down as actor praises her ‘grace and good humor’

 Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and President of Women of the World Festival (L), meets actor Emerald Fennell, who portrayed the Duchess in the television series 'The Crown', during a reception to mark International Women's Day at Clarence House, in London, on March 8, 2022.
(Image credit: ARTHUR EDWARDS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images))

Duchess Camilla and Emerald Fennell finally met each other at an event in honor of International Women's Day and the future Queen Consort couldn't help but make a cheeky joke.


Duchess Camilla and Emerald Fennell were photographed meeting each other for the first time, at an official event for International Women's Day. The event, which the Duchess hosted at Clarence House, celebrated female leaders.

Dignitaries included the wife of the Ukrainian ambassador to the UK, Spice Girls star Mel B and podcaster and journalist Elizabeth Day.

However, the most jaw-dropping guest of all was Oscar winner Emerald. The actor, writer and director, who won an Academy Award for Promising Young Woman, famously played a younger Camilla Parker Bowles in The Crown season 3 and 4.

Duchess Camilla

(Image credit: Getty)

Not one to shy away from a cheeky joke, during her speech to the dignitaries in attendance the future Queen Consort addressed the elephant in the room.

“It is reassuring to know that, if I should fall off my perch at any moment, my fictional alter ego is here to take over—so, Emerald, be prepared!”

Everyone present, including the actor, couldn't help but be highly amused by the cheeky jibe. 

Emerald spoke to the Telegraph about their meeting and said, “You know what, I’m going to be very discreet—because if I’ve learnt anything, it’s ‘loose lips sink ships.’”

The star continued, “She is such an impressive person. It was fittingly nice to meet her today on International Women’s Day because she does so much for so many particularly female-centered charities." 

Unable to ignore the potential awkwardness of their interaction, Emerald said, "I was nervous I might be thrown in the Tower, but so far so good." Adding her own personal praise she added, "She’s been in the spotlight for a long time and has always weathered it with a lot of grace and good humor.”

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and President of Women of the World Festival (L), meets actor Emerald Fennell (R), who portrayed the Duchess in the television series 'The Crown', during a reception to mark International Women's Day at Clarence House, in London, on March 8, 2022.

(Image credit: ARTHUR EDWARDS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images))

Despite the general jocularity of the event, some Royal fans were left concerned after noting Duchess Camilla's 'tremor' while she spoke, fearing that this may indicate health issues. However, there has been no public statement regarding these tremors, which may have been down to nerves.

Aoife Hanna
Junior News Editor

Aoife is an Irish journalist and writer with a background in creative writing, comedy, and TV production.

Formerly woman&home's junior news editor and a contributing writer at Bustle, her words can be found in the Metro, Huffpost, Delicious, Imperica and EVOKE.

Her poetry features in the Queer Life, Queer Love anthology.

Outside of work you might bump into her at a garden center, charity shop, yoga studio, lifting heavy weights, or (most likely) supping/eating some sort of delicious drink/meal.