From the beginning, Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles have had an unorthodox relationship. Their early 1970s meeting may have been described as a “love at first sight” by royal biographers, but it wasn’t without its challenges.
It is well-known that Charles and Camilla remained close friends throughout their marriages, even after Charles married Princess Diana and Camilla married her partner. Getting together as a pair was a long time coming for these two; it’s been over three decades. Here’s a look back at their turbulent courtship.
- In 1970, Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles began dating after initially meeting at a polo match. When Charles sailed away, they called it quits.
- In 1973, Camilla wed Andrew Parker Bowles, and in 1981, Prince Charles wed Princess Diana at Windsor Castle. While they were away, Charles and Camilla maintained an intimate friendship.
- There was a tremendous scandal in 1993 when an intimate phone call between Charles and Camilla was released. Both of them divorced their partners in the years that followed.
- Once Prince Charles and Camilla made their relationship public after Diana’s death in 1997, the two eventually tied the knot in 2005.
1970: First Meeting
They met at a polo tournament at Windsor Great Park, according to the BBC. “My great-grandmother was the mistress of your great-great-grandfather,” Camilla allegedly told Charles in her first conversation with him, according to some stories. “I think we have a lot in common,” I said. Charles claims they met through mutual acquaintance Lucia Santa Cruz, which Lucia later confirmed to be accurate, according to historian and The Crown advisor Robert Lacey in The Crown: The Official Companion Volume 2.
Both Charles and Camilla began dating and spent a lot of time together. Finally, Charles was drafted into the Royal Navy, which put a stop to their romance.
July 4, 1973: Camilla Weds Andrew Parker Bowles
Camilla married Andrew Parker Bowles (who had previously dated Charles’ sister, Princess Anne) in July 1973 after a protracted courtship. Tom and Laura Parker Bowles were born as a result of their marriage. Charles and Camilla remained close despite Camilla’s new relationship, and Charles even served as Tom’s godfather.
1981: Princess Diana Enters The Picture
Charles proposed to Diana on February 6th, 1981. Charles and Diana were asked if they were in love a few weeks later during an interview. While Charles stated, “Whatever love means,” Diana replied, “Of sure,”
Charles and Diana were married on July 29th. Camilla was a guest at their nuptials. Royal author Andrew Morton claims that Camilla caused Charles and Diana to fall out over an unopened wedding gift that was supposed to be for Camilla. “A certain amount of time would always be left aside for Camilla,” supposedly Charles informed Diana.
1986: The Affair
Despite being married to different people, Charles and Camilla began an affair in 1986, People reports. When Diana spoke about Camilla’s connection with Charles in an interview with Panorama in 1995, she said, “There were three of us in this marriage, so it was crowded.”
From 1986 until her divorce, there were several claims that Diana was having extramarital affairs. Diana confessed to having an affair with James Hewitt in an interview with Panorama.
1989: The Confrontation
Tom Morton, her biographer, and Diana recorded an audiotape in which she confessed to confronting Camilla about her relationship with Prince Charles. As she put it, “I know exactly what’s going on between the two of you. You have everything you ever desired, she murmured to me.
How can you ask for more when you’ve had all the men in the world swooning over you?’ Then one day I just started to myself, “I want my husband.” ‘I’m sorry I’m in the way…and it must be horrible for both of you. But I’m aware of what’s happening. Keep your insults to yourself.
1993: Phone Call Leak
The transcript of Charles and Camilla’s 1989 phone conversation, dubbed “Camillagate,” was published in its entirety by the British tabloid The Mirror. In the transcript, the two discussed their physical relationship and how much they wanted and cared for each other. To say that the tapes generated a major controversy for the royal family would be an understatement.
June 1994: Charles Speaks
During a TV interview, Charles was asked about the accusations that he had an affair with Camilla. “Yes, yes…until it got irretrievably broken down, us both having tried,” he answered when asked if he had been “loyal and honourable” to Diana. When Camilla was brought up, he remarked, “She has been a friend for a very long time—and will continue to be a friend for a very long time. “
January 11, 1995: Camilla’s Divorce
Andrew Parker Bowles and Camilla Parker announced their divorce in January 1995, after allegedly being separated for at least two years.
August 28, 1996: Charles’ Divorce
Charles and Diana divorced in the summer of 1996 after a long separation.
August 31, 1997: Diana’s Death
Diana died tragically at the age of 36 in a Paris vehicle accident. Dodi Fayed, her business partner, and Henri Paul, the driver, were also killed in the collision. The loss of Princess Diana halted plans to “present” Charles and Camilla to the public as a couple, according to The Guardian.
July 10, 1998: Going Public
An insider told The Guardian that Camilla met Prince William in 1998 and that she plans to meet Prince Harry at some point in the future. Charles’ 50th birthday was again commemorated in 2007 with a big bash. The Los Angeles Times reports that Queen Elizabeth declined to go because Camilla would be present and she disapproved of their relationship.
1999: First Public Appearance
A 50th birthday party for Camilla’s sister in London was held at the Ritz, where Charles and Camilla were pictured together for the first time. Even though they arrived at the party separately, they departed together in front of the media and photographers. They started going to events as a couple that year.
2000: The Queen’s Approval
It was at Charles’s country estate, Highgrove, where the King of Greece was celebrating his 60th birthday in 2000 that the Queen first met Camilla, according to the BBC. It was viewed as a stamp of approval from the Queen.
2003: The Big Move
In 2003, the now well-known couples moved into Clarence House. Camilla’s apartments would not be decorated with British taxpayer money, as the BBC pointed out.
April 9, 2005: The Wedding
Having met for the first time over thirty-five years before that, Charles and Camilla announced their engagement in February of that year. Many people wondered if Camilla would ever be referred to as the Queen or if she would be given a new title. After the wedding, it was rumoured that she would become Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Cornwall, to avoid having the title of Princess of Wales shared with anyone else.
Charles and Camilla were married civilly in Windsor Guildhall on April 9th. Prince William served as the best man. However, they were present for the reception and blessing in St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, where the Queen and Prince Philip were not.
2015: Charles Talks About Their Relationship
In honour of their tenth wedding anniversary, Charles and Camilla gathered with family and friends on April 9, 2015. An Instagram photo posted by Clarence House showed the couple in their Birkhall, Scotland yard.
Charles opened more about his connection with Camilla in a CNN interview the following year. There is nothing better than having someone who you know understands and wants to encourage. It is always wonderful.” She does, however, make fun of me if I become very serious about things. And all of that is beneficial.”
2017: Camilla Discussed The Affair
Her interview with The Mail on Sunday revealed how she was handled by the media and public once it was announced that she had an affair with Prince Charles. I couldn’t go anywhere…it was horrifying,” she lamented. It was a harrowing experience that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. “Without my family, I would not have made it.”
2020: Anniversary Celebration
Ahead of The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall’s 15th wedding anniversary tomorrow, we are sharing this photo of Their Royal Highnesses with The Duchess’s dogs Bluebell and Beth.
The photo was taken earlier today at Birkhall. pic.twitter.com/0Xw1nxySpu
— The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (@ClarenceHouse) April 8, 2020
February 5, 2022: Queen Camilla
The Queen has spoken, and Camilla will be the next monarch. When Prince Charles is crowned King, Camilla will assume the title of Queen Consort as part of the royal family’s 70th-anniversary celebrations.
On the eve of her Accession Day, Queen Elizabeth wrote, “When, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me; and it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes,” Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her loyal service.
Camilla was to be given the title of Princess Consort upon Charles’s accession, according to official statements made when the couple first wed in 2005 for the second time. It is now official that Camilla will take on the title of Queen Consort when Prince Charles becomes King, owing to the Queen’s recent declaration.
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