Many British people are still wary of the now legal wife of Prince Charles, Camilla Parker-Bowles, and at one time the degree of hatred towards her was simply prohibitive. The whole point is that the subjects of the English queen loved Diana Spencer with all their hearts and very much empathized with her in her unhappy marriage with the heir to the British throne.
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall at Birkhall Estate in 2021
After the death of Lady Di, the wave of sympathy for her only intensified. Camilla was not only called an insidious homewrecker who destroyed Charles’s married life, but they also hinted that she was partly to blame for the early death of the Princess of Wales. But in the story of this love triangle, not everything is so simple.
First meeting
Camilla was born in 1947 into the family of a small nobleman, Major Bruce Shand and Baroness Rosalind Shand (nee Cubitt). The titles of her parents did not allow her to even dream that she would someday become the wife of a prince. But the girl was not ambitious. Her main desire was to create a large, friendly family.
At the time of her acquaintance with the prince, Camilla was in a relationship with the rich and handsome officer Andrew Parker-Bowles. Their love story was not easy: her chosen one turned out to be too flighty and could not miss a single skirt. Tired of endless betrayals, Camilla left him. Then, believing the next promises, she returned.
The future Duchess of Cornwall at 18
Some researchers believe that Camilla decided to have an affair with Charles in order to take revenge on her unfaithful companion. Others claim that between the girl and the prince there was love at first sight, which, once it broke out, did not fade away throughout their lives.
Prince Charles with his beloved at a polo match in 1970
The date of the first meeting of Camilla and Charles is usually given as 1970. According to one version, they met at a polo match, according to another, Lucia Santa Cruz introduced them at some party. This girl was a friend of Camilla and herself briefly dated the prince, who in his youth was not averse to having an affair with another interesting young lady.
Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles: a story of eternal love. Part I
On April 8, the wedding he and she have dreamed of for 35 years will take place. Only God knows how much they had to endure for this day to finally come. He challenged the family, traditions, the whole people. She found the strength to come to terms with the fact that she would never be loved by either his family or his subjects. He is Britain's Prince Charles . She is simply Camilla Parker Bowles . A man and a woman whose love story will someday be called the most stormy and tragic romance of the 21st century. So believe after this that not a single king can marry for love. She was not destined to marry a prince, and she did not build ghostly castles in the air. Camilla Shand was born into an aristocratic and wealthy family, which, however, could not boast of noble titles. The Shands were invited to social functions and receptions with the participation of the royal couple, invited to polo games and traditional rabbit hunts, but they always knew their place. The maximum that fate promised Camilla was to become the wife of some aristocrat from their circle. When the time came, the parents sent their daughter first to a boarding school for noble maidens, and then to Queen Gate School in London, which was famous for preparing exemplary ladies.
However, the lady from Camilla did not work out. Arriving on vacation, she shocked her relatives not only with her appearance, but also with her inclinations, which were very strange for a young girl. Camilla almost never wore skirts or dresses. She went out to the guests of the estate in the same clothes (checkered shirt, trousers, soldier's boots) in which she tinkered with the dogs. Moreover, she considered the hours spent at the kennel to be a more pleasant and useful activity than drinking tea with relatives. Camilla loved horses, racing and nature as passionately as she loved dogs. Sometimes she spent days on end in the saddle, riding around the surrounding area... The Shand couple were in shock. Instead of a well-bred young lady, Camilla grew into an awkward teenager with a smoky voice and bitten nails.
When Prince Charles first met Camilla, he was twenty-two and she was twenty-three. It was raining. Camilla, dressed as usual in her rough uniform, held her favorite horse by the bridle. She clearly did not feel any embarrassment from meeting the heir to the throne, who happened to be at the polo ground: “Do you know that my great-great-grandmother was your great-great-grandfather’s mistress?” They say that it was with this very impudent question that their romance began.
Charles was struck by an amazing coincidence: indeed, his great-great-grandfather King Edward VII adored Camilla’s great-great-grandmother, the incomparable Alice Keppel. The whole court gossiped about their relationship, but they had no serious continuation of the relationship. When Edward died, Alice was not even allowed to sign the book of condolences. However, Charles was shocked not so much by the story as by the woman who told it. Camilla was not like those refined ladies with whom he was used to communicating at court. There is not an ounce of makeup on your face, an awkward hairstyle on your head, and lumps of dirt on your legs. After talking for just a few minutes, they discovered a lot in common. It turned out that both of them love horses and dogs more than anything in the world.
Their romance developed rapidly. The heir to the throne did everything possible to be where Camilla appeared. She, in turn, had to make an effort over herself and fall in love with social events, which Charles was obliged to attend. She even had several dresses, gloves and hats in her wardrobe. But Camilla still didn’t know how to wear them. No matter what she wore, she still looked like a “martinet in a skirt.”
The relationship with Charles flattered her vanity, but Camilla had no illusions about its continuation. She knew perfectly well who he was and who she was. In the 70s of the last century, princes married Cinderellas only in fairy tales. All of Europe excitedly discussed the act of the Swedish king, who decided to go shopping on his own. Therefore, when Charles proposed to Camilla some time later, she thought he was crazy.
By marrying her, he would lose everything - the title, the crown, the love of his mother and father. Camilla was not ready to accept such a sacrifice. She knew very well that by saying yes, she would gain little and lose a lot. Firstly, the Shands will forever quarrel with Buckingham Palace. Secondly, the press will accuse her of betraying British interests. Thirdly, she will no longer be able to carelessly gallop through the fields on her favorite horse and tinker with the dogs in the kennel. For Charles, a morganatic marriage would be a repeat of the story of his ancestor Edward VIII, who married American Walis Simpson and lived his life under the title of Duke of Windsor. But for Camilla... Thinking about the proposal of an heir, she increasingly remembered her great-great-grandmother Alice, who forever remained in history as “this woman.” No, she was not yet ready for such a turn of fate.
Three on a swing
In 1973, Charles went on a long military campaign to the West Indies. One day, while looking through newspapers sent from his homeland, he came across a message about the wedding of Camilla Shand and Andrew Parker-Bowles . According to eyewitnesses, the news made an indelible impression on the prince. He locked himself in the cabin and came out only six hours later - with red eyes and a sniffling nose. Nevertheless, Charles found the strength to send his congratulations to the newlyweds.
Camilla began dating her future husband Andrew Parker-Bowles even before meeting the prince. She was turned by the handsome, merry fellow, and she actively sought his company. The affair with Charles did not interfere with this relationship. Moreover, having received the proposal of an heir, Camilla decided that it was really time for her to get married. But not for the prince, but for Andrew. She thought that Charles would understand her treachery correctly. In the end, she saves his crown with her hasty marriage.
Camilla was wrong. No, Charles understood everything correctly and forgave. As a sign of reconciliation, he even became the godfather of her first-born, Thomas, born in 1974. But the heir was not going to give up his beloved. Not caring about the gossip, he appeared at the Parker-Bowles estate much more often than decency required. He then came to inquire about the health of his godson. Then he walked with Camilla through the spring park. Then he went to the kennel to look at the offspring. Camilla's husband did not seem to be bothered by Charles' frequent visits. He himself was not very faithful to Camilla and did not demand loyalty on her part. Mr. Parker Bowles knew very well that every English monarch had a married mistress. This means that God wanted the future king to choose his wife for this role. However, the prince continued to think of Camilla as more than just a mistress. In the shade of a blooming rose hip, Charles passionately persuaded his beloved woman to marry him. The heir in love was not at all embarrassed by the fact that his chosen one was seven months pregnant.
Rumors about her son's matrimonial plans eventually reached the ears of Elizabeth II . The Queen had already guessed about his connection, but she could not even imagine that things had gone so far. Charles was summoned to Buckingham Palace, where he was clearly made clear: he must immediately renounce Camilla and marry a worthy girl. Not necessarily rich, but titled and preferably a virgin. This is what the court wants, this is what the people expect, and finally, this is what she, Elizabeth, demands.
Diana Spencer didn't drop her glass slipper. The fairy tale about Cinderella and the prince was invented from beginning to end in the palace. Diana was found based on the signs that the queen so clearly outlined. She was only nineteen years old. She came from a noble but poor family. Her reputation shone with purity, like a white lily in drops of dew. By the time of her engagement to Charles, all that was known about Diana was that she loved children very much.
Their wedding captivated the whole world. Millions of people watched the heir to the British throne lead a fragile, beautiful creature to the altar - and sincerely wished them happiness. Diana looked at the world with wide eyes of innocence. The prince did everything in his power to look happy too. Camilla did not attend the wedding. She swore to herself and Charles that from now on she would follow his life only on television. The camera showed a close-up of the prince lifting the bride's veil. Camilla did not see Diana's beaming face; she only looked at the cufflinks with the initials SS (Camilla and Charles) - her wedding gift to her former lover.
During their honeymoon, journalists asked the newlyweds: “Do you love each other?” “Of course,” replied the Princess of Wales innocently. “It depends on what you mean by the word ‘love,’” the prince remarked unexpectedly boldly.
To be continued
// Moscow's comsomolets
Why were the lovers forced to separate?
At first, the royal family did not pay attention to the prince’s latest hobby. The anxiety began to grow when they saw the influence Camilla had on Charles. She became for him not just a lover, but a kind and good friend. The prince consulted with her on any issues and valued her opinion. They spent more and more time together.
The couple in 1975
In the end, it was decided to put an end to this: Charles was sent to serve in the navy, Camilla was made to understand that Elizabeth II categorically did not see her as the prince’s chosen one and a possible future queen. The girl resignedly submitted to this decision. Soon she received a marriage proposal from her former lover Parker-Bowles, and she agreed to it.
She's sloppy
The Duchess of Cornwall, otherwise known as Camilla Parker Bowles, is a simple country girl who has won the hearts of the British people in the same way she won the love of Prince Charles, her current husband, some 50 years ago. Although she was born into a rather noble family, she was never distinguished by her mannerisms. She was never particularly interested in her appearance; she did not attach importance to how she looked or in what environment she was in. Her apartment neighbor stated that Camilla kept her apartment in a state of chaos before her marriage to the prince. However, the royal family naturally denies these rumors.
Unhappy marriages
On July 4, 1973, Camilla and Andrew got married. The young woman sincerely hoped that thanks to the birth of children, Andrew would settle down and they would be able to enjoy a quiet family life.
However, Parker-Bowles' flighty character continued into marriage. He began cheating on his wife almost immediately after the wedding. Even the birth of his children - Tom and Laura - could not keep him from cheating.
Parker-Bowles family 21 February 1984
On July 29, 1981, Prince Charles married Diana Spencer, but his marriage was unhappy. The spouses turned out to be too different - they had practically no common interests, had opposite temperaments and outlooks on life.
At first, Camilla tried to maintain friendly relations with both Charles and Diana. She attended their wedding, but tried to keep a low profile.
With Princess Diana in 1980 at the racecourse
Having learned about Lady Di's terrible attacks of jealousy, Camilla withdrew herself, not wanting to be the cause of misfortune. They stopped communicating for several years.
She giggles
If you attend 200 events a year, a sense of humor is essential. But, according to Camilla herself, she laughs too much. It’s hard to resist when it’s clear to everyone that something is going wrong, but you need to put on a straight face and not pay attention to what’s happening. The princess often cannot control herself, she wants to pinch herself so as not to laugh, but she cannot do this. She shares this feature of her character with her new daughter-in-law, the Duchess of Sussex. At a recent event, women couldn't help but laugh when a buzzing bee interrupted Prince Harry's speech. Even if it breaks royal etiquette, Camilla says you need to be able to laugh at yourself, otherwise you can become a snob.
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Renewal of the novel
In 1986, relations between Charles and Camilla resumed. Princess Diana accused her rival of being the one who ruined their marriage. According to Camilla, she reappeared in the prince’s life when he no longer actually lived with his wife, and their marriage became an empty formality.
Prince Charles with Princess Diana and sons
From the same time, Lady Di's stormy romances began, which attracted close attention from the press and became a real test for the royal house. Diana insisted that her husband began to cheat on her first; her husband claimed that he was faithful to her until he found out about her lover. It is very difficult to establish the truth; only one thing can be said with confidence: the marriage of Prince Charles and Lady Di was doomed to failure.
Prince Charles wedding
The couple appeared in public together only in 1999. Elizabeth was still against their relationship, and gave her consent to this union only in 2004. The wedding of Camilla and Charles took place on April 9, 2005.
Wedding of Charles and Camilla, 2005. (wikipedia.org)
The bride received the titles of Duchess of Cornwall, Duchess of Rothesay, Countess of Chester, and also Princess of Wales, but the latter title, due to the still strong associations with Lady Di, is not used. Last year, the media reported about the couple’s possible divorce, and also that Camilla could ask for large compensation, but this information has not yet been confirmed.
Camilla-gate scandal
Since 1986, the royal family has been rocked by a series of endless scandals. There is a war of incriminating evidence, candid photographs of Princess Diana are leaked to the press, and rumors about her numerous lovers are growing.
In 1993, the Mirror published a complete transcript of a private conversation between Charles and Camilla, which took place in 1989. A huge scandal broke out - it went down in history under the name “Camilla-gate”. The conversation between the prince and his girlfriend contained so many intimate details that no one had any doubts about the renewal of their love affair. A serious blow was dealt to the reputation of the royal house. The prince was ridiculed and called derogatory names.
All the details of that careless telephone conversation quickly spread across the tabloids.
In 1994, a television documentary about Charles was released. In it, the journalist openly asks the prince about his relationship with Camilla. He avoids a direct answer, but says that his marriage with Diana is “irretrievably broken.” The prince insists that he tried to be faithful and noble in his relationship with his wife, and after a second he adds: “We both tried.”
She loves to garden
Despite the fact that the royal court is served by hundreds of servants, Princess Camilla would willingly replace some of them. In particular, gardeners. She always liked working in the garden. She claims that if she were allowed to spend the whole day in the fresh air, she would be incredibly happy. She would ride horses, hunt with Prince Charles and tend the garden. In her own words, dirty hands don’t bother her at all.
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Why did Charles choose Camilla?
Comparing the two rivals, many wonder why the prince chose Camilla. Diana was 14 years younger and had a brighter, more expressive appearance. Many men were crazy about Lady Di - she knew how to please and attract attention. Camilla did not have even a tenth of Diana's charisma - it is not surprising that the British public never managed to truly fall in love with her.
At the Nice Flower Market in 2021
However, Charles's heart was irrevocably given to Camilla and there was no room left in it for other women. The prince's friends say that the secret lies in Camilla's feminine wisdom, her ability to support Charles in any circumstances and under any conditions. Cheerful, radiating calmness and kindness, Camilla knows how to cheer up the prince, dispels his doubts, and gives him self-confidence.
In 2021, the couple celebrated the 15th anniversary of their official marriage and the 50th anniversary of their meeting. Their love turned out to be stronger than conventions and stood the test of time.
She wears Chanel shoes in any weather
Perhaps in the official logo of the company - the double letter C, the princess sees a combination of her name and the name of her husband. Charles + Camilla. The same theory explains Princess Diana's dislike for this brand. One way or another, the Duchess appears in public quite often in her favorite cream shoes with a black toe. And although this model is no longer produced by the manufacturer, an exception will always be made for a person from the royal family.
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