"Your greatest achievement is to love me," replied Charles in the conversation that allegedly took place in December, 1989. The tapes were published in 1993.
In the seven-and-half years since the tragic death of Princess Diana in Paris, Camilla's influence over Charles has steadily, and quietly, grown.
Insiders report that Camilla, since she moved into her own apartment in Charles' London palace, Clarence House, two years ago, has increasingly become the power behind the throne.
Gradually, her looks and appearance, said by her most scathing critics to be resembling the "back end of a Bedford bus," are improving.
Like Diana before her, Camilla now has a range of her favorite designers at her beck and call.
The most intriguing question remains how the wedlock between Charles and Camilla will affect, in the longer term, the British monarchy, at home and in the 53 Commonwealth countries.
The British public have stated, in their overwhelming majority, that they do not wish Camilla to be called queen.
Taking account of these sensitivities, she will be known as "Princess Consort" when Charles accedes to the throne.
In reality, however, she will be "queen in all but name," as one leading politician put it.
For the time being, the nation is quietly hoping that Queen Elizabeth II, now 78 and in rude good health, will be at the helm long enough to keep the monarchy on a steady course.
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