Royals watchers and especially Queen Camilla stans are reaching for a tissue after reading her just-released statement. In it, Camilla reveals a seldom-seen look into her family history (as well as insight into her royal duties today) through a story about her father's war service. It's part of her commemoration of the 85th anniversary of Operation Dynamo, the WW II civilian war effort at Dunkirk that saved 338,000 troops.
Queen Camilla Releases Rare Personal Statement—and Ends it with Her Unique Signature
Her Instagram post is heartfelt and historic
Published May 31, 2025
•8:23pm
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Along with black-and-white archival photos of heavy machinery grounded on British shores, Queen Camilla shares a strikingly emotional narrative:
"Today and together with the nation, The King and I would like to remember the unprecedented civilian war effort of Operation Dynamo on its 85th Anniversary. Over nine days, an eclectic collection of seafarers, ferry masters, barge hands, fishermen, and children, with their Little Ships, achieved the great evacuation of more than 338,000 troops who were fighting with their backs to the sea at Dunkirk."
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"My father, who was amongst their number and safely transported home 85 years ago today, recalled wading out to a cement ship to find refuge and rest in its wheel-house. He noted in his memoirs that 'The ship was commanded by a midshipman who looked about twelve, assisted by a boatswain, aged eighty.'"
Queen Camilla concludes her statement by expressing her conviction that her father, his fellow service members and allied forces would today be "grateful beyond words" for this daring and historic rescue. (Interestingly, King Charles previously awarded a CBE, or Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, to film director Christopher Nolan, whose 2017 film Dunkirk dramatized the evacuation.)
The Queen signs her statement in a perfectly fitting way: "Camilla R." In case you didn’t know, the letter “R” stands for Regina, which is Latin for “queen.” Queen Camilla’s royal moniker is similar to King Charles’s signature. For example, the 76-year-old monarch signs letters with the name “Charles R.” In his case, the “R” stands for “Rex,” which translates to “king" in Latin.
