Camilla, Queen Consort

Biography

Queen Camilla (born Camilla Rosemary Shand on 17 July 1947) is the wife of King Charles III and Queen of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms.

Camilla was born at King’s College Hospital in London and grew up primarily in East Sussex. Her parents were Major Bruce Shand, a British Army officer and businessman, and Rosalind Cubitt, daughter of the 3rd Baron Ashcombe. She was educated in England, Switzerland, and France.

In 1973, Camilla married British Army officer Andrew Parker Bowles. They had two children, Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes, before divorcing in 1995.

Camilla had known Charles III since the early 1970s. Their relationship became one of the most intensely scrutinized aspects of modern British royal history, particularly during Charles's marriage to Diana, Princess of Wales. Charles and Diana divorced in 1996, and Diana died in Paris the following year.

Camilla and Charles gradually began appearing publicly as a couple and married in a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall on 9 April 2005, followed by a service of prayer and dedication at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. After the marriage, she was styled Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall rather than Princess of Wales, although as Charles's wife she was legally entitled to the latter title. The decision avoided association with Diana, who was so closely identified with the title.

During her years as Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla became a working member of the Royal Family. Her charitable interests have included literacy and reading, osteoporosis awareness, support for victims of domestic and sexual violence, animal welfare, and assistance for older people.

When Queen Elizabeth II died on 8 September 2022, Charles immediately became King and Camilla became Queen Consort. Charles and Camilla were crowned at Westminster Abbey on 6 May 2023.