King Charles and Queen Camilla’s Secret Love Story Revealed!

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Although there’s been a lot of attention given to the affection shown by Princes William and Harry towards their wives, King Charles III has demonstrated his ability to be charming as well.

Before their 10th wedding anniversary in 2015 with Queen Camilla, England’s second-in-line prince expressed his gratitude for the immense support he had always received from his loving partner.

He shared with CNN, “It’s a wonderful feeling to be around someone who seems to grasp what you’re going through and offers support. Even when she playfully teases me for being overly serious, it adds a touch of humor that I appreciate.

Undoubtedly, though, the 77-year-old’s most valuable trait is her ability to endure. 

Often recognized as Charles’ partner during his 15-year marriage to the adored Princess Diana, the ex-Duchess of Cornwall endured years of public criticism, yet managed to preserve her relationship and dignity throughout the ordeal.

1997, the year that marked Princess Diana’s tragic death in a car accident, saw a public opinion poll revealing that an overwhelming 86% of British citizens were against the notion of Camilla being crowned. As a dedicated follower, I too found myself among those who shared this sentiment at that time.

On April 9th, the current queen of the United Kingdom will mark twenty years of matrimony with her 76-year-old king during an official state visit to Italy.

My, what a difference a few decades makes.

In Tom Bower’s 2018 book, “Rebel Prince: The Power, Passion and Defiance of Prince Charles”, it was revealed that Queen Elizabeth II had previously criticized her eldest son’s relationship with Camilla, referring to her as an “unscrupulous woman.” However, only months before her passing in February 2022, the monarch expressed her hope that her daughter-in-law would someday be recognized as Queen Consort.

In his 2015 interview with CNN, Charles conceded that it was indeed a significant struggle, yet he admired her for handling the challenges exceptionally well.

Despite the grandeur of the ceremonial events, adorned with a sparkling diamond tiara, it’s her marriage that truly glimmers most brilliantly.

Tom Parker Bowles expressed an uncommon viewpoint before his parents’ 2023 coronation: “Regardless of what others may say, this wasn’t a predetermined conclusion.” Essentially, he added, “She wed the person she adored, and this is how things turned out.

And as pals tell it, the future duchess dazzled from their first meeting.

Through the introduction of their shared acquaintance, Lucia Santa Cruz, in a lively 1970 polo game setting, a spirited 23-year-old named Camilla Shand is reported to have approached the royal figure with an audacious first remark.

Speaking of Alice Keppel and her relationship with King Edward VII, “She reportedly said to him: ‘Did you know that your great-grandfather and my great-grandmother were lovers?’, as remembered by childhood friend Broderick Munro Wilson in a 2005 Dateline NBC report. ‘Would you consider the same?’

As a dedicated follower, I’d recount that it was indeed Santa Cruz who dared to introduce us with a cautionary note: “Now be careful, you two, for you share genetic roots—tread carefully, beware!” Nevertheless, the tactic proved effective, regardless of who took the initiative.

According to Junor’s book, The Duchess: The Untold Story, it was noted that he appreciated the genuine charm of her smile, which extended from her eyes as well as her lips, and found humor in the same goofy things. Moreover, he admired her down-to-earth demeanor, free of any pretense or artificial flattery. To put it simply, he was quite smitten by her, and after their initial encounter, he frequently contacted her.

Though intense, their initial romance was short-lived.

Charles’ choice to enlist in the Royal Navy put a strain on their relationship, and public opinion that he, once a receptionist, lacked certain essential qualities didn’t help. He didn’t have royal blood and, as royal biographer Chris Wilson explained to Dateline, “At that time in the early 1970s, it was considered important for the future Princess of Wales to be a virgin.

In contrast, author William Shawcross posited that the primary challenge between Camilla and her was not an enduring love for another man, specifically Andrew Parker Bowles; rather, he suggested that she deeply cared for him.

Meanwhile, though Camilla appeared smitten, Charles, who was stationed in the Caribbean at that moment, felt heartbroken upon discovering that his previous love interest was about to get married.

Junior elaborated, stating that it appeared incredibly harsh to him, as he penned, that following ‘such a delightful, tranquil, and harmonious bond,’ destiny had only allowed it to endure for just half a year.

However, the duo continued to be close as Camilla accepted Tom into her family (with the prince serving as a godfather) and later welcomed a daughter named Laura. In the late 1970s, it’s said that their relationship rekindled.

Wilson also asserted that the union had the approval of Camilla’s husband, stating on Dateline, “The English nobility are dedicated to serving their royal family. Andrew Parker Bowles was willing to sacrifice his wife for his nation. It was all right.

And yet the arrangement didn’t suit everyone.

When Charles married Lady Diana Spencer, who was once a kindergarten teacher, she grew suspicious of his friend, Camilla. So much so, that she asked Camilla not to attend their grand wedding with 3,500 guests at St. Paul’s Cathedral in 1981.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d rephrase it as follows: Looking back on the years following my marriage vows, which included the births of my sons William and Harry, I considered those times among the happiest in my life. However, by 1989, I realized that the so-called Camilla issue needed to be addressed.

As recounted in Andrew Morton’s 1992 biography, “Diana: Her True Story,” I found one of the most courageous instances during my marriage occurred when I faced Camilla at her sister Annabel’s 40th birthday celebration.

Without being asked, Diana confidently intruded into the conversation between Camilla, Charles, and a male companion, stating that she required a brief moment of their time.

In her later recollections during a recorded discussion with Morton, Diana expressed that she had heard an inner voice saying, “Take the chance,” to which she responded, “I understand the situation between you and Charles, and I wanted you to be aware of my awareness.

As a lifestyle advisor, I’d rephrase it like this: “Unyielding in my resolve, I recall Camila’s words to me, ‘You have everything you’ve ever dreamed of – a world full of potential suitors and two beautiful children. What else could you ask for?'” Diana recounted. “In response, I boldly declared, ‘I want my husband.’ I confessed to Camilla, ‘I’m aware that I may be causing inconvenience…and I can only imagine the challenges this must pose for both of you. But let me assure you, I am not oblivious to the situation at hand. Please do not underestimate me.’

Soon, playing dumb was no longer an option.

In a November 1992 event known as “Camillagate”, various media outlets broadcast private recordings of an intimate phone conversation between Charles and Camilla. During this eight-minute late-night discussion, Charles expressed his desire, surprisingly, to be Camila’s tampon, and he also professed his affection for her.

The airing of those three significant phrases signified the formal termination of Charles and Diana’s marriage. Approximately a month later, Prime Minister John Major made it public that they had parted ways.

Even though Camilla wouldn’t formally divorce Parker Bowles for another three years, the release of the tapes made it possible for everyone to be open about their relationship. In a 1994 interview, Charles openly admitted his infidelity, stating that he had tried to remain faithful to Diana until it was evident that the marriage could not be salvaged anymore.

In simpler terms, Diana’s perspective was concise. She acknowledged her affair with polo player James Hewitt but famously expressed their primary problem to Martin Bashir in a now-questionable BBC interview, saying, “There were too many of us in the marriage, making it a bit cramped.

After Diana left, Charles and Camilla were eager to formally become a couple. However, they first needed to handle the expected, and at times challenging, opposition. According to Bower in his book, Charles quickly started seeking public support, but his harshest critic was right at home.

In 1995, on a particular night, Charles confronted his mother in their sitting room at the Balmoral estate in Scotland. He urged her not to meddle in his relationship, as they were both gathered there. (Bower’s account)

But the matriarch, several martinis deep, wasn’t having it.

she would not tolerate his infidelity nor pardon Camilla for intruding on their marriage. According to Bower, she expressed her fury over his deception regarding the woman he referred to as ‘the wicked one,’ and declared, “I wish to have no contact with her.

After Diana’s car accident in 1997, the struggle for the pair became even more challenging. Upon hearing the news of his ex-wife’s demise, Charles expressed concern about the potential backlash he might face. As Bower described it, Charles fretted, “They’re all going to think I did this, aren’t they? The world is going to go insane.

Enraged, really.

For quite some time, they, Charles and Camilla, worked on mending their relationship, but they encountered severe backlash along the way. As per Wilson, devoted followers of the late People’s Princess reportedly went to the extent of hurling bread rolls at Camilla while she shopped in a supermarket.

In the 2017 conversation with The Mail on Sunday’s You magazine, Camilla described the experience as very uncomfortable. It was such an awful period that she would not wish it upon her most formidable adversary.

Despite reaching her lowest points, William Shawcross, one of her confidants, pointed out that she never retaliated or attacked. Instead, he shared that she had always maintained discretion, refraining from responding aggressively. Moreover, he mentioned that she didn’t try to grab headlines in the tabloids, which he saw as a remarkable demonstration of strength on her part.

As a committed supporter, my approach was to concentrate on charitable causes, such as the National Osteoporosis Society, promoting literacy, and combating sexual violence, while gradually gaining prominence alongside Charles.

One year following Diana’s passing, William and Harry had their first encounter with Camilla the subsequent year. They made their relationship official the following year, leaving her sibling’s birthday celebration together, surrounded by approximately 200 photographers eager to document the significant occasion.

Back in the year 2000, I had successfully navigated one of my most significant challenges. For years, I had chosen to avoid attending events alongside Camilla, even missing Charles’ 58th birthday bash in 1998. However, I decided it was time to put past differences aside when the queen graciously accepted an invitation to celebrate the life of King Constantine of Greece.

Still, her cold front didn’t thaw completely.

In 2005, the couple got married, but Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip, missed the civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall. They were deeply saddened according to Bower’s account. However, they did attend the Service of Prayer and Dedication at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, as well as the subsequent reception. Interestingly, it was also at St. George’s Chapel where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle would tie the knot in 2018.

In her toast to the newlyweds, the Queen playfully mentioned an incident where a steeplechase was postponed for 25 minutes so the BBC could air a prayer service instead. She addressed the gathering by saying, “I have two significant pieces of news to share.” The first one is that Hedgehunter emerged victorious in the Grand National race.

She went on to say, “Just as they’ve managed to surmount Becher’s Brook, The Chair, and numerous other daunting hurdles, they have persevered. I am filled with pride and wish them continued success. My son is safe and happy with the woman he cherishes.

Over a dozen years since their eagerly anticipated marriage, Camilla confessed that she was still adapting to her newly assumed position.

She shared with you, “It’s important to find humor in yourself or else it might be time to step aside.” She continued, “Often, I ponder, ‘Is this really me?’ This thought helps me endure. Moreover, having numerous friends who, if I ever show signs of arrogance – a situation I fortunately never encounter – would simply remind me, ‘Snap out of it! Pull yourself together! Don’t be so haughty!’

After marrying Prince Charles, she assumed the position of Duchess of Cornwall, since the title ‘Princess of Wales’ was seen as too closely tied to Diana and for many years it had been communicated that upon Charles becoming king, she would be recognized not as a queen but as a princess consort instead.

Though, obviously, things change. 

Twenty-one years have passed since Diana’s demise in 1997, and public opinion has evolved and continues to do so, with a growing acceptance of Camilla today. Dickie Arbiter, a former press spokesman for the Queen, expressed this view to Hello! in 2018. He believes that the Duchess, through her work, has proven herself to be a valuable ally to her husband and to the Queen, making her not only beneficial to the country but also to the monarchy itself.

Apart from being supportive, she’s also been a pillar of strength for Charles in his ongoing fight against cancer. During a visit to Belfast in March 2024, she confided to those present that while he can be challenging, she does her best to keep him under control.

Emphasizing the over 90 charities she aids significantly impacted the shift in public perception towards the duchess. However, it’s probable that this strategy wouldn’t have been effective if Camilla wasn’t so genuinely appealing.

Even hardened reporters assigned to chronicling the day-to-day activities of the royal family, often referred to as the royal rota, maintain a tender affection for Camilla.

Arthur Edwards, renowned photographer for the Sun, expressed that he holds her in high regard and finds her delightful. He considers her an extraordinary woman, having worked closely with her for 41 years documenting the royals. In his interview with James Reginato for Vanity Fair’s profile on Charles, he mentioned that she always greets him with a radiant smile and is never known to be in a bad mood.

A different writer labeled her as “the royal I adore the most, without any competition. She remembers each of us by name, she cultivates an atmosphere that we’re all part of one team. She flashes a warm smile at you and manages to catch our cameras in a glance.

Additionally, there’s the impact she’s had on her partner. One close friend put it this way: “She has made a significant transformation in him.” He is now noticeably less tense, and they share frequent laughter and conversation, demonstrating a deep bond and mutual wit.

As a devoted admirer, I cannot help but be drawn to the palpable bond that Charles and his wife share. He often refers to her as my cherished spouse, a term that speaks volumes about their deep connection.

When photographer Alexi Lubomirski, who also captured Harry and Meghan’s wedding, came to Clarence House for a photoshoot with the pair for Vanity Fair, he observed that as soon as they looked at each other, there was a gleam in their eyes – that’s when the enchantment unfolded. “It seems they are a young couple deeply in love,” he remarked.

As per pal Shawcross, they appear quite affectionate. They find each other’s humor amusing, they stand by one another, and they enjoy shared moments. There seems to be a playful connection between them, as if they exchange knowing glances over the table.

According to author Kathy Lette, who has crossed paths with the “witty and subtle” duchess, their playful dynamic simply resonates. In an interview with Dateline, she described their love story as not a traditional fairy tale, but rather a “real-life tale,” which is what makes it so captivating. She added that they are mature enough, having gained sufficient experience, to recognize that this is truly what they desire.

(Originally published on March 28, 2018 at 8 a.m. PT.)

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2025-04-09 12:18