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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to wish I'd had this lifestyle?

53 replies

ProfessorofDarkArts · 31/07/2026 15:50

I'm reading a book about Queen Camilla - I'm not especially a royalist but I find her interesting. Not looking to debate that as I know she's not everyone's cup of tea.

She was raised, according to the book, in the country with a happy stable family, left school with few qualifications and instead spent time travelling - including Paris, Milan (I think) and London, then a Swiss finishing school and doing the Season ie a year of parties, before meeting her husband (and current husband). There was no expectation for her to have a career and no money worries - she had a sizeable inheritance. That's as far as I've got but I assume (relationships aside) her life would have been quite a nice one.

I know few people get those sort of opportunities and it's not really about the money although of course that helps. It's more the lack of being forced to work for God knows how long with only a couple of weeks off every year. I know QC works now (depending on how you view the royals) but I assume many women in her world wouldn't.

I grew up in a very different world and reading it just made me think - wow! I left school with reasonable qualifications, studied for a degree and have always worked. But at mid 50s I'm pretty - to use the modern expression - burnt out and have a definite sense of 'what has it all been for?' I think it's probably quite common to wish you'd made better choices but you can only do that with the options available to you.

AIBU to wish I'd gone to finishing school, had a pony and married the inspiration for Rupert Campbell-Black instead of busting my arse for years only to still be skint at 50-odd and counting the days till I can retire and get a break?

OP posts:
ProfessorofDarkArts · 01/08/2026 00:47

TheeNotoriousPIG · 31/07/2026 17:10

May I ask what the title of this book is, OP? I like to read, and have read some books about the aristocracy, but not the one that you're reading at the moment!

From outcast to Queen Consort by Angela Levin. I’m enjoying it so far.

OP posts:
Flannelfeet · 01/08/2026 01:05

Must be great. I think thats why the monarchy live to a good old ripe age. They have no money or stress worries like us common people.
Im not into the royals and don't read much about them, but sometimes i wonder what a normal day would be .. " camilla, get your hole out of bed, its getting past 10 and we shall miss 11s with the grand children". "Charlie, do fuck off, im quite sure they will be fine eating the boiled quail eggs Margaret the maid will be serving with last nights left over caviar, now, come back to bed, that diamond in your mother's tiara i had on last night is missing, you can help me find it😉🫣.

Crikeyalmighty · 01/08/2026 01:43

I know someone in their late 40sx who isza bohemian euro traveller !! .her mum was married to someone famous , who subsequently married a millionaire European - her father was well known too - she hasn’t done much ever in her own regard, she hasn’t needed too much- She is both kind and lovely and attractive too - can’t help but feel a bit envious!!

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