Politics & Culture

The Timeline of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles' Relationship

They met in 1971 but only married in 2005. The love story of Charles, Prince of Wales—Princess Diana's widower—and Camilla Parker Bowles has several twists and turns worthy of a movie!
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With the new season of The Crown on Netflix—in which a doe-eyed Emma Corrin plays Princess Diana—the world is once again re-intrigued by the love affair between Charles, Prince of Wales (Diana's widower) and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. While the latter two knew each other throughout their lives their relationship is largely rooted in scandal and mystery. In fact, in her lifetime, Diana commented that Camilla was the "third person" in her marriage between her and Charles, and was the impetus for her infamous revenge dress. With Queen Elizabeth's recent passing, Prince Charles and Camilla will soon be crowned King and the Queen Consort. Here is a look at the history between Charles and Camilla's relationship before and after their marriage in 2005.

1970: Charles and Camilla meet

There are several reports about the couple's first meeting. While the BBC claims that Charles and Camilla met at a polo match at Windsor Great Park in 1970, People says that the couple met at a party in 1972.

Young Camilla
(Photo: Getty Images)

1971: Charles joins the Royal Navy

Although he and Camilla were in a relationship, it apparently fell apart when the prince left for duty.

Young Prince Charles
(Photo: Getty Images)

1973: Camilla marries Andrew Parker Bowles

The current Duchess and her first husband, Andrew, met at a party in 1965, according to the book The Duchess: Camilla Parker Bowles and the love affair that shook the crown, written by Penny Junor. The royal ceremony took place on July 4, 1973.

prince-charles-camilla-parker-bowles-princes-diana-scandal-royals-4.jpg
(Photo: Getty Images)

1977: Charles meets Diana

The truth is that when Diana and Charles first met, he was dating her sister, Lady Sarah. At the time, Diana was just 16 years old.

Lady Sarah and Prince Charles
Charles and Lady Sarah (Photo: Getty Images)
Diana and Prince Charles
Charles and Diana (Photo: Getty Images)

1981: Charles and Diana get married

The couple's engagement took place on February 24, 1981 and the wedding took place on July 29 of the same year.

Prince Charles and Princess DIana during their wedding
(Photo: Getty Images)

1986: Charles and Camilla get back together

While both were married, that did not stop the couple's relationship from returning. In an interview with BBC One's Panorama in 1995, Diana said "there were three of us at this wedding, so it was a little crowded."

Diana and Camilla
Diana and Camilla (Photo: Getty Images)

1993: Private conversations between Camilla and Charles leak

Earlier in the year, talks between the two leaked and confirmed Charles and Camilla's hidden relationship. This, of course, caused a big scandal for the royal family, in addition to leading to the end of both marriages. Camilla filed for divorce in 1995 and Diana and Charles completed their divorce in 1996.

Camilla and Charles
(Photo: Getty Images)

1997: Princess Diana passes away

The eternal Lady Diana died in a tragic traffic accident in Paris on August 31, 1997. Along with her, her then partner, Dodi Fayed, and driver Henri Paul also died. The accident shocked the world.

Diana wearing all-white
(Photo: Getty Images)

1999: Camilla and Charles are photographed for the first time as a couple

The two were seen leaving the Ritz on January 28, 1999, where a birthday party for Camilla's sister was being held.

Charles and Camilla leaving a party
(Photo: Getty Images)

2003: They start living together

Charles and Camilla moved to Clarence House together.

 

2005: They get married

In February 2005 the couple's engagement took place, and a few months later on April 9 they were married with a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall and then an official blessing from the Archbishop of Canterbury in St. George's Chapel, in Windsor Castle.

Charles and Camilla during their wedding
Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles

2010: Questions remain on Camilla's title after Charles becomes king

King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla Parker Bowels on a white background
(Photo: Getty Images)

Due to the extent of their scandal and as Camilla is seen as part of the reason Charles’s first marriage ended, the official royal position is that she would receive the title of Princess Consort instead of Queen. After an uproar in England, the Palace responded by saying nothing had changed and Princess Consort was still the intended title for her.

2022: Charles and Camilla at the Queen's Platinum Jubilee

Charles and Camilla having a toast
Prince Charles and Camilla attending the big Jubiliee lunch.

In the message the Queen released for her Platinum Jubilee, she shocks royal fans with the statement that it is her "sincere wish" that Camilla should be known as the Queen Consort when Charles takes to the throne.

2022: Charles and Camilla to be crowned King and Queen Consort

Kate and William and Camilla and Charles

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8, Charles and Camilla were officially named King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort of the United Kingdom.

2023: Charles and Camilla are crowned King and Queen

King Charles and Queen Camilla getting crowned.

While it was initially reported that Camilla would be styled "Her Majesty The Queen Consort," as a way of separating her from the late Queen Elizabeth II, following the coronation of King Charles III, Camilla has been styled as "Her Majesty The Queen."

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