I think it is notable that the Queen has increasingly been doing engagements in the company of other members of the family in the months since Philip's retirement from public life. She did one with Camilla this week. Are we going to all wax eloquently about their bond and Camilla's inherent specialness? Yep. I didn't think so.
Certainly it's not unusual for the Queen to go on engagements with selected members of the royal family. HM QEII is quite close to Sophie Duchess of Wessex (Prince Edward's wife) with whom the Queen spends private time enjoying horseback rides, afternoon teas, etc. The Queen also took Kate under her wing early on and they too appeared at public engagements together, just not as soon as a few weeks after Kate's marriage. Clearly, a lot of traditional protocol has been broken with Meghan joining the royal family, but it's happening due to changing cultural realities and differing personal circumstances. Meghan is a very accomplished, independent young woman who has already enjoyed a successful career as an actor and a businesswoman. As a result, Meghan is more comfortable in the public eye right off the bat. Also, she's an American so she does not have close family in Britain, unlike the Duchess of Cambridge. During her courtship with Prince Harry, Meghan was purposefully guided in learning behind-the-scenes, a great deal about royal life and protocol. William and Kate were allowed to ease very privately into their married life in Wales in order for Kate to settle in quietly and to purposely avoid as newlyweds being pressured to rush into full-on royal engagements. William also desired to continue working as an air ambulance pilot for as long as he could.
Why should it be so surprising or unbelievable that the Queen and Camilla Duchess of Cornwall have developed a bond? You know, time passes and relationships evolve. I think genuine respect and caring has grown naturally between the Queen and Camilla. They shared a public engagement just yesterday at Buckingham Palace, and demonstrated an authentic camaraderie with each other:
https://www.townandcountrymag.com/s...zabeth-puppies-medical-detection-dogs-photos/
Obviously, none of the royals live on top of each other.
They all have their separate, private lives (lived in the height of luxury which most of us can only imagine). There are few people they can trust: only very close inner circle friends who are wholly discreet and devotedly loyal, and their family -- other members of the royal firm. The Queen has clearly mellowed over the years, and she's always adapted to changing times. She rules with a firm hand
and a light touch.
Nothing changes the fact that it was a sad set of circumstances when Charles succumbed to familial pressure by his elders (mostly his grandmother, his father, and his Uncle Mountbatten) to end up marrying an aristocratic young lady (from a broken home) who was barely out of her teens, and whom he did not love. Camilla, who had a happy British gentry childhood, certainly has some character failings too, but she was never a horrid monster. I don't think Diana actually despised Camilla as a person. IMO, she despised Camilla's hold over her husband. Thus Diana obviously resented Camilla and reflexively disparaged her with mocking references. OTOH, Charles and Diana both dearly loved their sons and were mostly on the same page about wanting to give them a more grounded upbringing than they'd had themselves. The princes are the hard-won gifts and true blessings of that star-crossed marriage.
As a result of their parents' nurturing love (despite the wounds of divorce), William and Harry are very responsible, caring young men who exhibit deep love for both their parents. They honor and cherish the memory of their mother. And they respect their father's desire to be happy in his personal life. They both seem to want him to be happy too. Why wouldn't they? While it's impossible for us to know the exact thoughts and feelings of any of the royals, from all appearances and reports, it seems that William and Harry genuinely get along with Camilla. Perhaps William is a bit more reserved toward her. Reportedly, the Duchess of Cornwall has a delightful personality and a great sense of humor (regardless of divisive gossip about her spewed in tabloids). With Meghan Markle now having joined the family, everything appears to have come full circle in ways that seem to provide healing for the royal firm on a number of levels.
Life is never easy for anyone and none of us know with certainty what the future holds. But on faith (the evidence of things unseen) I think this latest union and the lovely, intimate touches we saw on display at the royal wedding signify beneficial things and uplifting possibilities. I'm happy to see two young people in love and so passionate about giving back. Yes they are privileged and wealthy, but their success in life has not come easily. I find them both to be inspirational. And of course they are also human and imperfect. They are also humble at the same time that they embrace their larger than life status and the responsibilities that come with privilege. Harry didn't always fully embrace his royal status, but his experiences in the military set him on a more purposeful path, along with his love for Africa and the people of Botswana.
I've heard more eloquent comments directly pertaining to the union of Meghan & Harry (and to their personalities) by guests who attended the wedding than anything Bishop Michael Curry uttered during the ceremony.
One unidentified wedding guest said after the reception:
"[Meghan and Harry] have shaken things up and put it down in the right order... This is the way it should be. It is magic. But it starts with the two of them. And the rest is a bonus. I couldn't be more happy for them."
I believe the royals are very conscious of the subtle ways in which to make a statement, without saying anything publicly. Guy visibly seen riding in the Queen's car to Windsor Castle, was not a random coincidence nor a trifle. Obviously, the Queen loves dogs, so that surely has something to do with her taking an interest in Guy. I don't see anyone saying that the Duchess of Sussex is presently as close to the Queen as daughter-in-law Sophie Duchess of Wessex happens to be. But clearly we've seen a number of reports that make sense about the Queen's friendly interactions with Meghan. One such report came directly from her grandson Prince Harry, during his engagement interview with Meghan. 
Discussing taking Meghan to tea with the Queen and her temperamental corgis, Harry revealed: "I've spent the last 33 years being barked at; this one walks in, and there's absolutely nothing." Meghan added laughing: "The corgis laid down around my ankles." I believe the Queen knows that dogs can be a good judge of people's characters. 
Of course the Duke of Edinburgh is known to look upon such overdramatic trivia with the utmost disdain. He surely avoids like the plague all the cheesy treacle and scandalous tripe about his family that's fed to a gullible public. 
VF doesn't realize the hats Meghan wore at her last two public outings are different.
The truth of how Meghan got the nod may lay somewhere in the middle. For all we know, the Queen's planned trip came up in conversation during one of Harry's and Meghan's visits to BP for afternoon tea with the Queen, which may have resulted in Meghan's invite. Certainly, the Storeyhouse Theater opening being on the itinerary has some connection (coincidental or otherwise) to Meghan's former career. 
