The London museum admitted that it was only now exhibiting a likeness of Camilla, who married her longtime lover Charles on April 9, 2005, because the British public had finally warmed to her.

Her figure is dressed in a cornflower blue jacket and skirt, which the then newlywed wore in June 2005 to Ascot, Britain's premier horse-racing event.

Bejewelled with crystal flower brooches and drop earrings, her model also sports cream suede LK Bennett shoes and a Philip Treacy clutch bag, both donated by Camilla herself.

Although her waxwork stood slightly apart from that of her husband, the two will later stand together, flanked by models of princes William and Harry, the sons of Charles and his late ex-wife princess Diana, museum officials said.

Looking on from 4.5 metres away is the waxwork of Diana, who blamed Camilla for contributing to the breakup of her marriage to Charles. She died in a Paris car crash in August 1997.

The Camilla figure stands in the refurbished Royal Zone, which includes Queen Elizabeth II, her husband Prince Philip, and the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, with former monarchs Henry VIII and Elizabeth I nearby.

Camilla sat for sculptor Stephen Mansfield at the Clarence House residence she shares with Charles, and selected her outfit and accessories.

Mansfield, who took four and a half months to complete the work, recalled that Camilla had to stand on a moving turntable to allow photographs to be taken of her from different angles.

"I think she found that quite entertaining," Mansfield said.

"She was fascinated by the tray of eyes and the hair samples. She picked out the eyes she thought hers were like. She was very near but I found one that was a slightly better match."

Ben Lovett, spokesperson for Madame Tussauds, said times have changed since much of the British public saw Camilla as a home wrecker.

"When the Prince of Wales (Charles) got married to the Duchess of Cornwall, there wasn't that much public interest in having her here," Lovett said. "In the last 12 months there has been a general warm swell of support for her."

AFP