From 'wicked witch' to 'fairy godmother': Queen Camilla's evolution, through her photographers' eyes

When the former Camilla Parker Bowles is regally invested and crowned Queen alongside her husband, King Charles III, this weekend, it will be the culmination of a remarkable transformation. 

Two years before her death in 1997, the late Princess Diana famously referred to Camilla as the "third person" in her marriage with then-Prince Charles.

The mistress label — and the derision that came with it — would stick for many years, including after Queen Elizabeth II gave Charles and Camilla's relationship her blessing and the couple married in 2005.

But those who have followed her evolution from a subject of ridicule to adulation say they believe with Saturday's coronation ceremony, the 75-year-old Camilla's identity transformation will be complete — and entirely earned. 

"She was the wicked witch, but now she's the fairy godmother," said Arthur Edwards, who has photographed members of the Royal Family for Britain's The Sun newspaper for the past 45 years.

"She will be out there [at the coronation] waving to the people and they will be screaming joyfully back that she has made it."

While opinion polls suggest Camilla still trails other Royals in popularity — including the late Queen's youngest son, Edward, and his wife, Sophie — her ratings have steadily improved over the years.

Over his long career, Edwards, who's now 82, has enjoyed a unique and privileged relationship with members of the Royal household, including the late Queen. On many occasions, he was the only outside photographer invited to accompany the family on special events and occasions.

But in a pre-coronation interview with CBC News at The Sun's offices in London, it was evident Edwards holds special affection for King Charles and Camilla — a respect that is reciprocated, he says.

"I call her ma'am, she calls me Arthur," said Edwards of his association with Camilla, who until the coronation remains Queen Consort.

Following Diana's death, Charles famously hired Canadian-born public relations guru Marc Boland, who is often credited with helping rehabilitate Camilla's image.

But Edwards believes her subsequent success has had little to do with consultants. He argues it is due to a genuine interest in the causes she has championed.

The Royal Family's website says Camilla is either the patron or president of 90 charities, among them Coram Beanstalk, which advocates for children's literacy, and Brooke, an animal welfare organization.

"I think it was just pure hard work," said Edwards, listing the many charities Camilla has associated with. "I went to a prison where there were prisoners struggling to read and she encouraged them. She got thousands of books sent in."