Queen Camilla, born Camilla Rosemary Shand, is the queen of the United Kingdom and the 14 other Commonwealth realms as the wife of King Charles III. Her life has been marked by significant events, from her early years to her marriage to Charles and her eventual ascension to the role of queen consort and then queen. Here is a timeline of her life, highlighting key milestones and their significance.
Main Milestones
Birth
17 July 1947
Camilla Rosemary Shand was born in London, England, to Major Bruce Middleton Hope Shand and the Hon. Rosalind Cubitt. She grew up on a large country estate in Plumpton, Sussex, with her parents and two younger siblings.
Debutante
1965
Camilla came out as a debutante in London, a traditional rite of passage for upper-class girls, marking her entry into society and signaling her readiness for marriage.
Meeting Prince Charles
1970
Camilla met Prince Charles at a polo match at Windsor Great Park, though some sources suggest they met at a party in 1972. This encounter marked the beginning of their long-standing relationship.
Marriage to Andrew Parker Bowles
4 July 1973
Camilla married Andrew Parker Bowles, with whom she had two children, Laura and Tom. This marriage occurred after Charles failed to propose before returning to his naval duties.
Affair with Prince Charles
Late 1970s to 1990s
Camilla and Charles began an affair that spanned two decades, during his marriage to Princess Diana. This period was marked by controversy and public scrutiny.
Divorce from Andrew Parker Bowles
1995
Camilla divorced Andrew Parker Bowles, paving the way for her to pursue a more public relationship with Charles.
Death of Princess Diana
1997
The death of Princess Diana in a car accident led to widespread public grief and further complicated the public's acceptance of Camilla's relationship with Charles.
Marriage to Prince Charles
9 April 2005
Camilla and Charles married in a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall, followed by a Church of England Service of Prayer and Dedication at St George's Chapel. She became known as the Duchess of Cornwall.
Queen Elizabeth II's Death and Charles's Ascension
2022
Following Queen Elizabeth II's death on 8 September 2022, Charles ascended to the throne, and Camilla became queen consort, as per Queen Elizabeth II's earlier wish.
Coronation as Queen
6 May 2023
Camilla was crowned queen during King Charles III's coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey, marking her official ascension to the role.
