After being crowned a new Queen, Camilla Parker-Bowles’ behavior reportedly caused significant tension within the British royal family. Recently, she allegedly sought to convert the Queen’s £28 billion estate into personal assets, threatening to disclose damaging royal secrets if denied. This deeply saddened Charles, who had always valued Camilla. But the King and Queen’s troubles are not over yet, as the monarch sparks family rifts with lavish moves for his now wife because of privacy fears.

By spending almost $4 million, King Charles recently spent £3 million from his private funds to purchase a property adjacent to Queen Camilla’s Ray Mill House in Wiltshire—an estate she has treasured as a private retreat for decades. The Queen’s been experiencing great anxiety about Ray Mill House, her cherished sanctuary away from the public glare in Wiltshire, England.

It all started when the house next door to hers, The Old Mill, went up for sale. To add to the 77-year-old real estate headache were proposals that The Old Mill become a wedding venue—think of it, dozens of wedding guests carousing every weekend just the other side of her fence. A source said, “Camilla, they added, has her horses, she walks her dogs, and she loves spending time with her family. This business with her neighbor was frankly the last thing she needed.”

While the purchase was an act of love, it has reportedly stirred resentment among Charles’s siblings. Prince Andrew, already at odds with the King over financial matters, has allegedly expressed frustration over Charles’s decision to spend millions securing Camilla’s comfort while refusing to offer him further financial support. Similarly, Prince Harry, who has been estranged from the royal family, has also raised concerns in the past about Charles’s reluctance to provide financial assistance.

The contrast between Charles’s lavish spending on Camilla and his strict financial approach toward other family members has fueled tensions within the monarchy. For some, this grand gesture is a touching testament to Charles’s devotion to his wife. For others, it’s a blatant display of favoritism that could further strain royal family relations.

That’s a drop in the proverbial bucket for the King, considering his estimated net worth is $750 million. Queen Camilla is, as a source claimed, feeling grateful and relieved that her husband of almost 20 years bought The Old Mill. The insider also called the real estate purchase a savvy move on the King’s part.

Despite internal criticism, Charles and Camilla’s relationship has remained one of unwavering support. Camilla played a crucial role in helping Charles navigate his cancer battle, and the King’s recent actions underscore his commitment to ensuring her well-being. The new arrangement is a pragmatic solution, being both a sound financial investment and a way of maintaining Her Majesty’s privacy protection and continued enjoyment of her much-loved home without any public funds being used.

“I know how grateful and relieved she is, not least given all the additional stresses and anxieties of the past year,” they added, referencing the King’s ongoing cancer treatment.

However, the purchase also deepens the divide within the royal family, highlighting Charles’s clear prioritization of Camilla over his siblings. It raised suspicions when Princess Anne, an experienced rider, suffered a riding accident, with some speculating Camilla’s involvement due to Anne’s opposition to her queenship. Angered, Charles stripped Camilla of her royal duties, confining her to Clarence House.

As the British monarchy faces ongoing internal tensions, Charles’s decision is bound to be a point of contention for years to come. Will this latest move further alienate his siblings, or is it simply the price of securing Camilla’s peace of mind?

2025 marks 30 years that Camilla has owned Ray Mill House. She bought the property in 1995 for a reported $850,000 or $1 million, after divorcing her first husband, Andrew Parker-Bowles. Built around 1860, Ray Mill House showcases Italianate style. There are 12 acres of gardens and orchards that might have drawn Camilla to the property, as she has a known love of gardening. Ray Mill House also has a swimming pool with a wall for privacy, popular with Camilla’s grandchildren.

Despite Camilla’s love for Ray Mill House, it only served as her primary residence from 1996 to 2003. These days, she splits her time between the King’s homes, Highgrove House and Clarence House. Ray Mill is her retreat. Additionally, she and King Charles are expected to add Buckingham Palace to the mix, but not until renovations are completed in 2020.