Queen Camilla has made her feelings clear about her separate living arrangements with King Charles in a fresh interview.
The royal pair marked their 20th wedding anniversary on the third day of their four-day state visit to Italy.
Acknowledging the fact that they spend a lot of time apart, Camilla said she and the King are like "ships that pass in the night."
In an interview with UK media during the trip, Camilla shared the key to their enduring relationship.
Queen Camilla makes feelings clear on 'separate living arrangements' with King in fresh interview
Getty
"What is the secret? I don't know. Well, I suppose it's just sort of friendship, really. Laughing at the same things, getting on with life," she said.
The Queen also noted how their royal duties keep them busy: "I suppose doing this [on a royal tour] takes up most of the time."
Having spent most of the day on separate engagements from her husband, Camilla joked about their busy schedules.
"We are always going in different directions, like ships that pass in the night really. We whizz past each other. In fact we have got a bit of a catch-up this afternoon!" she said.
Queen Camilla rewore her Anna Valentine wedding dress
PA
The couple each has their separate residences in the UK, with the King spending a lot of time at Highgrove House, while Camilla lives in Wiltshire.
The Queen revealed she had managed to buy Charles a gift to mark their 20th wedding anniversary. "Ah yes, well I have got something. Because it's China," she shared.
Despite enjoying their anniversary during the tour, the royal couple plan to celebrate properly when they return to the UK.
"We are going to do that when we get back. We are going to save that," Camilla explained.
Queen Camilla visiting a local school in Rome
PA
She added: "Otherwise, you can't really, you have to rush it. You don't have time to say anything."
The Queen hinted at potential gifts awaiting their return: "I think we might dig into our pockets and pull something out at the end of the day."
For the occasion, Camilla wore her original Guildhall wedding outfit in ivory silk by Anna Valentine.
The ensemble was repurposed with additional embroidery by King's Foundation artisan Beth Somerville.
Queen Camilla during a reception for members of the British-Italian community at Villa Wolkonsky in Rome
PA
While celebrating their special day during the royal tour, Camilla reflected on their two decades together with surprise.
"20 years, who could believe it was 20 years?" she remarked. Camilla reminisced about her long-standing connection to Italy during the royal tour.
"We used to come here as children. We used to go to Ischia, one of the lovely little islands off Naples, so I've always loved it here," she shared.
The Queen expressed her affection for the country, saying: "You come to Italy and you feel better. They are so friendly. Everybody is so lovely."
