King Charles first met Camilla Shand in 1970 when they were introduced by a mutual friend. Charles was immediately smitten with Camilla and they began dating. However, their relationship ended when Charles left to serve in the Royal Navy for 8 months. Shortly after, Camilla became engaged and then married Andrew Parker Bowles in 1973. Charles went on to date other women over the years.
According to PEOPLE, In 1981, Charles married Lady Diana Spencer. The couple had two sons together, Prince William and Prince Harry. However, Charles remained close friends with Camilla over the years. By 1986, Charles had rekindled his romance with Camilla. Secretly recorded phone conversations between Charles and Camilla in 1989 made headlines, providing evidence they were having an affair.
In 1995, Princess Diana spoke openly in a TV interview about Charles’ relationship with Camilla, referring to her as the third person in their marriage. A month after the interview aired, the Queen recommended Charles and Diana divorce. Their divorce was finalized in 1996.
In 1997, Princess Diana was killed in a car accident in Paris. A year later in 1998, Charles and Camilla made their first public appearance together at a birthday party. In 1999, Camilla divorced her husband Andrew Parker Bowles after being separated for several years.
In 2005, Charles and Camilla announced their engagement. They married in a civil ceremony in April 2005. Camilla assumed the title of Duchess of Cornwall. Over the years, she took on more senior royal duties and patronages.
In 2022, Queen Elizabeth II passed away, making Charles the new monarch. He became King Charles III and Camilla became Queen Consort. In May 2023, Charles and Camilla were officially crowned in a coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
Throughout their 50+ year relationship, Charles and Camilla endured intense public and media scrutiny over their affair while Charles was married to Diana. In a 2024 interview, Camilla admitted the media attention in the 1990s was exceptionally difficult for her. However, since marrying and assuming their current roles, Charles and Camilla appear to have a strong, supportive relationship as royal partners.
While their romance had a turbulent start, plagued by infidelity and criticism, King Charles and Queen Camilla have ultimately ended up together, assuming the highest positions and responsibilities within the British royal family. Their story is one of both controversy and perseverance – a complicated relationship that has managed to weather decades of storms to now stand united as the reigning heads of the monarchy. Though the road was rough, their commitment to one another has prevailed through the years.
