Camilla's Feng Shui Homes
As Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall approaches her 75th birthday, the Daily Express asked international Interiors Therapist Suzanne Roynon for a unique perspective on two of the homes where the Duchess spends much of her time.
“Clarence House is the London residence of Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall” says Roynon, “and for acknowledged country-woman Camilla, this will be very much ‘the office’, the London pied à terre where the majority of their administrative staff are based and the Royal couple stay while they are carrying out duties in and around the capital.”
The Prince and his wife have several properties around the country, but the only one owned outright by Camilla is Ray Mill House near the pretty historic village of Laycock in Wiltshire. The village is famous in its own right having featured in Pride and Predudice, The King, Wolf Hall, Harry Potter and many other films and dramas.
Camilla purchased Ray Mill House after her divorce from Andrew Parker Bowles in 1996. It’s the place she regards as her family home, where she can kick back and relax in the company of her friends and children. It’s an area she knows intimately and loves for its beauty and idyllic countryside. The property is surrounded by extensive grounds and, like other royal residences, is subject to heightened security measures to protect the Duchess when she is in residence.
“From a Feng Shui perspective, it looks as though the house, built around 1860, is probably a ‘Bad for People, but Good for Money’ home”. Says Roynon. “This would normally create challenges within the family, potentially illness, stress, miscommunication, strained relationships, and issues with neighbours. Fortunately she doesn’t spend enough time there for it to impact on her marriage or family.
Although this is the place where the Duchess can be herself, it’s clear it isn’t all plain sailing for Camilla and this year in particular could be particularly challenging at Ray Mill House. She has had well documented problems with the owner of an adjacent property which will have made spending time in her sanctuary more frustrating for the Duchess during the times when Highgrove House, the country house she shares with the Prince of Wales just a few miles away, is open to the public. “It’s likely the house has a greater detrimental impact on the Duchess the longer she spends there” says Roynon, “and there are certainly Feng Shui solutions which would make life easier for the permanent residents of Ray Mill House who may be feeling significant pressure. However, as Camilla spends a few days there on an occasional basis it’s likely she puts these frustrations aside to focus on supporting the Prince of Wales and HM the Queen as the monarch hands over more of her responsibilities to the next generations.
Back in London, Clarence House, built in the 1820s for an uncle of Queen Victoria was home to the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh during the early years of their marriage and subsequently became the London home of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
“With Royal residences it’s often difficult to identify the precise Feng Shui of a building as information on significant changes, extensions and remodeling is restricted” says Roynon, “however it’s no surprise Clarence House is likely to be both ‘Good for Money and People’ in Feng Shui terms”. “The money energy here is superb, although if they spend protracted periods there, the royal couple and their staff may experience problems with their hips, legs, thighs and feet.
There is also a higher than average risk of fire during 2022 and a deep rooted tendency for misunderstandings between siblings. This energy reinforces the well documented ill- will between Prince Charles’ sons, William and Harry. “
“Looking at the images of Clarence House, the public rooms are still very much styled as they were while the Queen Mother was in residence” says Roynon. “This is a space where Charles and Camilla meet and greet international Heads of State and honoured guests as well as representatives of the many charities and organizations the couple support, but this is much more of a palatial working environment than a home.
I’m sure some of the private rooms will have been redecorated to suit the taste of the royal couple, but it’s well know Prince Charles is something of a traditionalist and he adored his Grandmother. The memory of the Queen Mother remains very strong at Clarence House and the space will continue to reflect her style, collections and above all, her belief in duty to the Crown as long as Prince Charles is the primary resident there.”
Suzanne Roynon is an International Interiors Therapy expert and Feng Shui consultant based in Hertfordshire. She is the author of ‘Welcome Home, How Stuff Makes or Breaks your Relationship’ and supports individuals, couples and families to enjoy a happier lifestyle in a supportive and welcoming home.
