Camilla’s Sister, Annabel Elliot, Has Been Working For King Charles III, For Almost 20 Years

Sep 10, 2023

Even before King Charles III’s accession to the throne, the public kept its eyes magnified on Queen Camilla. She had become one of the most controversial figures to join the British royal family. Before marrying King Charles III on April 9, 2005, Charles and Camilla met in 1970 at a polo match. According to Britannica, many people in their friend group assumed that Charles would propose to Camilla. But in 1973, the then-25-year-old Camilla wed British Army officer Andrew Parker Bowles.

The couple had two children together but eventually divorced in 1995. Throughout the course of their first marriages, King Charles III and Camilla continued their romantic connection. According to NBC News, in the 1990s, the public blamed Camilla for the devastating end of Princess Diana and Charles’s marriage. The British tabloids often referred to Camilla as the "third person" in Diana and Charles' relationship. She was even regarded as one of, if not the, "most hated woman in Britain."

It took decades, but Camilla changed how the public viewed her by using her platform to delve into humanitarian work. According to Charles and Camilla's official website, she is the patron or president of more than 100 charities. According to Express, Camilla is ranked the 11th most famous royal family member. She was ranked only four places behind her husband, King Charles III.

Amidst the controversy that surrounded Camilla’s marriage to Charles, she had a rock to hold on to — her younger sister Annabel Elliot, who, unbeknownst to many, had been working hand-in-hand with Charles as his chief interior designer.

According to Royal UK, Queen Camilla was born Camilla Rosemary Shand on July 17, 1947. She is the daughter of Major Bruce Middleton Hope Shand and the Hon Rosalind Maud Shand. Camilla also has one sister, Annabel Elliot, and a brother, Mark Shand, who passed away in April 2014.

Annabel married Simon Elliot, a Dorset landowner, with whom she has three children. Only two years younger than Camilla, Annabel is frequently seen accompanying Camilla at events. However, there have also been times when Annabel has been caught in the middle of her sister’s drama.

It was reportedly at Annabel’s 40th birthday party in 1989 that Princess Diana confronted Camilla about her relationship with Charles, who was still her husband at the time. According to Mirror, in recordings secretly taped by a friend in 1991 at Kensington Palace, Diana had called it “one of the bravest moments” of her marriage and that Charles had run off like “a headless chicken.” Diana said she told Camilla, “I would just like you to know that I know exactly what’s going on,” to which Camilla replied, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Charles and Diana divorced in August 1996, while Charles and Camilla married in April 2005. Charles also had a good relationship with Camilla’s sister Annabel.

An art lover, Annabel studied fine art in Florence, Italy. She went on to be one of the most respected interior designers in the United Kingdom and is the founder of Annabel Elliot Interior Design and Antiques, an interior design firm. Annabel is also the co-founder of Talisman, an antiques and interiors emporium based in Gillingham. 

Because of Annabel's impeccable taste in interior design and penchant for collecting antiques, Camilla’s husband, Charles, had employed her services to renovate a handful of the couple's estates.

Annabel was hired by Charles as the chief interior designer of his estates. Annabel designed his mansion in Llwywormwood, Wales, an estate he bought in 2006 for over £1 million (about $1.15 million). 

Apart from this, Annabel’s design touch is embedded in 12 Duchy of Cornwall cottages on the Isles of Scilly and holiday cottages at Restormel Castle. She began renovating the Duchy Nursery in Lostwithiel and the Bovey Castle Hotel in Devon in 2011. The latter made it to the 2011 Gold List as one of the world’s best places to stay at. The Daily Telegraph recognized her contributions and ranked her the fifth most influential female interior designer in Britain. 

However, Annabel’s work for Charles has garnered some scrutiny. In August 2016, Daily Mail reported Annabel had been paid a massive £1.5 million (about $1.7 million) for “goods and design services” since 2005. In the report, Annabel was said to be working on a commission to decorate a pub in Poundbury, Charles’ modern village on the outskirts of Dorchester. In response to the criticism, the report claimed Charles was “very happy with Mrs. Elliot’s work” and that he did not have to put the commission up for tender as it was a private property.

Annabel attested to the king’s commendable work ethic, including his hands-on attitude, especially during the renovation of the Dumfries Lodge House in 2012.

“He always likes to be completely involved and know what’s being suggested,” Annabel said, referring to the king in the 2012 ITV documentary “The Royal Restoration.” “So we’ll definitely have a good, healthy (debate). He doesn’t just agree or disagree. He will look at everything. His eye for detail is quite extraordinary. I don’t think I’ve ever worked with anybody who is so interested in the detail.”

King Charles surely has a unique relationship with his sister-in-law, Annabel Elliot. Did you know of her work before? Do you think King Charles’ attention to detail will be reflected in his rule as monarch? Let us know, and pass this on to your friends, family and other royal fans!