Camilla Parker Bowles Biography

Camilla Rosemary Shand was born on July 17, 1947, to Rosalind and Major Bruce Shand, a British Army Officer. She grew up in a large country estate with her two siblings in Plumpton and fraternized with royalty from very early on.

Around this time, Camilla and King Charles reportedly met at a polo match in the 70s and eventually began dating. But, the relationship ended after Charles travelled overseas to join the Royal Navy and Camilla eventually married Andrew on July 4, 1973. The wedding was attended by over 800 guests and it is speculated that even King Charles was invited but could not attend for reasons unknown.

Despite being married, Camilla renewed her romantic relationship with Charles in 1979, but it soon ended after he married Princess Diana in 1981. The affair became public much later with the publication of ‘Diana: Her True Story’ in 1992.

In 1994, King Charles spoke about his relationship with her in a television interview and Diana confirmed all speculations when she stated ‘Well, there were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded’. This dented Camilla’s public image and the revelation made her largely unpopular.

On March 3, 1995, after twenty-two years of marriage, Camilla and her husband filed for an ‘amicable’ divorce and there were many speculations as to why the marriage ended. It is believed that the ensuing relationship with King Charles was perhaps the reason behind the divorce.

After the sudden and tragic death of Princess Diana in August 1997, Camilla and Charles appeared publicly for the first time in 1999. The following year, her tarnished public image was restored when she was appointed as the President of the National Osteoporosis Society and after she accompanied the King Charles on a number of official engagements. It was around this time she met Queen Elizabeth II, who approved of their relationship after a long time.

Camilla began appearing publicly with the royal family, starting with the Golden Jubilee celebrations in 2002, and during the Queen mother’s funeral. On February 10, 2005, the duo’s engagement was officially announced by Clarence and around this time, the public also approved of their decision to tie the knot.

On April 8, 2005, the couple was to be married but the marriage was delayed by a day as the then Prince of Wales was to attend the funeral of Pope John Paul II. The wedding took place the following day with Prince William and Camilla’s son from her first marriage as witnesses. A grand wedding with a televised blessing by the Archbishop of Canterbury soon followed and she earned the title of ‘Duchess of Cornwall’.

On their seventh wedding anniversary, Camilla was appointed to the Royal Victorian Order by Queen Elizabeth II.

In November 2010, the car of King Charles and Camilla was attacked by one of the supporters of ‘2010 British student protests’ but the couple were unharmed.

Camilla was actively involved in the royal duties and accompanied King Charles on his official obligations. This included travelling around the world, helping Hurricane Katrina victims, providing relief to the London bombing victims and paying official visits to countries in the Middle East and India.

In 2011, they paid official visits to countries around Europe to discuss investment opportunities. She also travelled with him to commonwealth states. In 2013, she was also present at the State Opening of the Parliament.