Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles: Photos from a royal romance

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall have had a roller coaster of a relationship since they first met in 1970.

The Prince of Wales and Camilla, who met at a polo match in Windsor Great Park, went on to marry other people.

Charles famously married Princess Diana in 1981 and Camilla married Andrew Parker Bowles in 1973. 

After two high profile divorces, they eventually reunited amid a flurry of royal scandal, including leaked phone calls.   

One year after Princess Diana’s tragic death, the couple appeared publicly together for the first time.  

They got married in 2005 in a humble service at Windsor Register Office, with just 28 guests.

While their romance has spanned decades, they have now only been married for 17 years.

In 2022, the Queen announced that the Duchess of Cornwall, will be made Queen Consort when Charles is eventually crowned as King. 

Here are the best photos of Prince Charles and Camilla together: 

18 JUNE, 2022: The Duchess of Cornwall opened up about her relationship with Prince Charles in Vogue Magazine 

The Duchess of Cornwall spoke openly about overcoming public scrutiny and her relationship with the Prince of Wales in an interview with Vogue magazine. Camilla offered an insight into their busy relationship saying: ‘We do always try to have a point in the day when we meet. Sometimes it’s like ships passing in the night, but we always sit down together and have a cup of tea and discuss the day.’

5 FEBRUARY, 2022: Queen announces that Camilla will be Queen Consort when Charles is King 

The Queen announced that the Duchess of Cornwall, will be made Queen Consort when Charles is eventually crowned as King

It was announced that the Duchess of Cornwall, will be made Queen Consort when Charles is eventually crowned as King. The significant announcement was made by Elizabeth II in her Platinum Jubilee message to the nation. The Queen: ‘When, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me; and it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service.’ The statement ended years of uncertainty about what role Charles’ wife would have in the future of the monarchy. 

13 JUNE, 2022: Queen appoints the Duchess of Cornwall to the Order of the Garter

Camilla was made a Royal Lady of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, elevating her to the status of senior royals including Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Edward and the Duke of Cambridge 

The Queen appointed the Duchess of Cornwall to the Order of the Garter. Camilla was made a Royal Lady of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, elevating her to the status of senior royals including Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Edward and the Duke of Cambridge, who are all Royal Ladies and Knights of the Order of the Garter. 

17 APRIL, 2021: Camilla supports Prince Charles at Prince Philip’s funeral 

Prince Charles and Camilla attended Prince Philip’s funeral amid the Covid-19 pandemic (Pictured) 

Prince Charles and Camilla attended Prince Philip’s funeral amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Like all 30 guests invited to the service, the couple wore face masks and sat by themselves in the quire of St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, with all mourners following Covid guidelines and remaining socially distanced.

9 APRIL, 2020: Prince Charles and Camilla celebrated their 15th anniversary

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall have celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary by releasing a touching new portrait

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary by releasing a touching new portrait of themselves together at Birkhall, holding Camilla’s beloved pet dogs. 

11 FEBRUARY, 2020: Prince Charles and Camilla have first joint engagement with Kate and William in nine years 

Prince Charles and Prince William bonded over wheelchair basketball as they joined Kate Middleton and the Duchess of Cornwall for their first joint appearance in nine years

Prince Charles and Prince William bonded over wheelchair basketball as they joined Kate Middleton and the Duchess of Cornwall for their first joint appearance in nine years. Charles, Camilla, William and Kate toured the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC), Loughborough,, including the gym and the prosthetics workshop, on their first official outing since a charity concert in 2011. 

18 NOVEMBER, 2018: Camilla joins Prince Charles’ children Prince William and Prince Harry with their wives Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle for 70th birthday portrait 

The Prince of Wales released a portrait of his family , including Camilla, for his 70th birthday in 2018

The Prince of Wales released a portrait of his family, including Camilla for his 70th birthday in 2018. The photo featured the heir to the throne sitting on a bench with Prince George on his knee, and the Duchess of Cornwall and Princess Charlotte next to him. Standing behind were Prince William and Kate, with the duchess holding Prince Louis, and Harry and Meghan. It was later claimed the photograph with his family was an ‘absolute nightmare’ to plan because his sons blew ‘hot and cold’ with their father. 

30 MAY, 2017: Duchess of Cornwall admitted she felt like a prisoner during affair with Prince Charles 

The Duchess of Cornwall opened up about how difficult it was to cope with the public scrutiny she faced during her affair with the Prince of Wales

The Duchess of Cornwall opened up about how difficult it was to cope with the public scrutiny she faced during her affair with the Prince of Wales. She told You magazine: ‘It was horrid. It was a deeply unpleasant time and I wouldn’t want to put my worst enemy through it. I couldn’t have survived it without my family.’

10 JUNE, 2016: The Queen honored the Duchess of Cornwall with a place on the Privy Council 

The Queen honored the Duchess of Cornwall with a place on the Privy Council, an advisory board to her majesty

The monarch honored the Duchess of Cornwall with a place on the Privy Council, an advisory board to her majesty. The Queen wanted Camilla to be beside Charles when he formally succeeds her as monarch in a ceremony normally held at St James’s Palace within 24 hours of the death of a sovereign.

9 APRIL, 2015: Prince Charles and Camilla celebrated their 10th anniversary

Clarence House released a new photo to mark the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall’s 10th wedding anniversary

Clarence House released a new photo to mark the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall’s 10th wedding anniversary. The couple spent their anniversary privately at Birkhall in Deeside. Birkhall, which sits on the Queen’s Balmoral estate, was the location for their honeymoon and was also the venue for their first anniversary celebrations.

11 MARCH, 2015: Prince Charles praises the Duchess of Cornwall in CNN interview 

Prince Charles praised the way his wife, Camilla has tackled the challenge of joining the royal family as ‘brilliant’ in an affectionate television interview with CNN (pictured in New Zealand in 2015)

Prince Charles praised the way his wife, Camilla, has tackled the challenge of joining the royal family as ‘brilliant’. He also highlighted the Duchess of Cornwall’s ‘charm and charisma’ in an unusually affectionate television interview with CNN. 

29 APRIL, 2011: Camilla and Charles attend Kate and William’s wedding at Westminster Abbey

The Prince of Wales and Camilla joined the royal family in celebrations at Buckingham Palace

Prince William and Kate Middleton wed in front of 2,000 guests at Westminster Abbey in London. The new Duchess of Cambridge wore a £250,000 gown by Alexander McQueen. The Prince of Wales and Camilla joined the royal family in celebrations at Buckingham Palace.

27 APRIL, 2005: Camilla has first royal engagement since wedding to Prince Charles

The Duchess of Cornwall carried out her first joint engagements with the Prince of Wales in London since their wedding – including one at Buckingham Palace

The Duchess of Cornwall carried out her first joint engagements with the Prince of Wales in London since their wedding – including one at Buckingham Palace. Charles and Camilla attended a reception in a gallery at the Queen’s royal residence. The Prince and the Duchess also opened a new sports pavilion known as “The Hub” in Regent’s Park.

9 APRIL, 2005: Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles get married 

Newly-weds Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall married in a humble service at Windsor Register Office, with just 28 guests

Newly-weds Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall married in a humble service at Windsor Register Office, with just 28 guests but without the Queen or the Duke of Edinburgh. Afterwards, Charles and Camilla were joined by the Queen at a religious service to bless their marriage at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, which was conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury in front of more than 700 guests.

10 FEBRUARY, 2005: Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles announce their engagement 

After years of speculation and denial about their relationship, Clarence House announced that the Prince Charles and Camilla will marry in a civil ceremony

After years of speculation and denial about their relationship, Clarence House announced that the prince and Camilla would marry in a civil ceremony. In a Buckingham Palace statement, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh expressed their ‘warmest good wishes’ for the couple’s future. The Queen said: ‘The Duke of Edinburgh and I are very happy that the Prince of Wales and Mrs Parker Bowles are to marry.’

4 AUGUST, 2003: Camilla Parker Bowles and Prince Charles moved into Clarence House together 

The Prince of Wales and Camilla moved into Clarence House, where the late Queen Mother lived for nearly 50 years

The Prince of Wales and Camilla moved into Clarence House, where the late Queen Mother lived for nearly 50 years. It was built between 1825 and 1827 to the designs of John Nash for Prince William Henry, Duke of Clarence, who lived there as King William IV from 1830 until 1837.

09 APRIL, 2002: Camilla attended the Queen Mother’s funeral with Prince Charles

Camilla attended the Queen Mother’s funeral although she didn’t sit with Charles as she arrived before him and sat with her sister Annabel

Camilla attended the Queen Mother’s funeral, although she didn’t sit with Charles as she arrived before him and sat with her sister Annabel and brother-in-law Simon Elliot. Camilla would not have been inside the Abbey at all were it not for the Queen who, as the Daily Mail revealed, issued her invitation.

4 JUNE, 2000: The Queen met Camilla Parker Bowles for the first time

The Queen met Camilla Parker Bowles at a 60th birthday party for King Constantine, the former King of Greece, at the prince’s home at Highgrove in Gloucestershire (pictured at a gala dinner in 2000)

The Queen met Camilla Parker Bowles at a 60th birthday party for King Constantine, the former King of Greece, at the prince’s home at Highgrove in Gloucestershire. The meeting was seen as the monarch’s decision to accept Prince Charles and Camilla’s relationship, ending a much-publicised stand-off since the prince divorced Diana. 

28 JANUARY, 1999: Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles make first public appearance 

Prince Charles threw a 50th birthday party for Camilla’s sister Annabel Elliot at the Ritz in London and afterwards they were photographed leaving together 

Prince Charles threw a 50th birthday party for Camilla’s sister Annabel Elliot at the Ritz in London. Afterwards, they were photographed together for the first time as a couple in a now famous photo. The appearance together at the Ritz was Charles and Camilla’s coming out, a fleeting but scrupulously choreographed appearance before the world’s press.

10 JULY, 1998: Prince Charles introduced Camilla Parker Bowles to Prince William 

Royal aides confirmed Prince William, who was 16-year-old at the time, had met Camilla for the first time in 1998 (pictured in 2002)

Royal aides confirmed Prince William, who was 16-year-old at the time,  had met Camilla for the first time and she had planned to meet 13-year old Prince Harry at a later date. At first, it was said to be a chance meeting, but this was untrue. In fact, William requested the meeting so he could ask her personally to help him organise a surprise early 50th birthday party for his father.

31 AUGUST, 1997: Diana’s death put Prince Charles and Camilla’s relationship on hold 

The plan to introduce Prince Charles and Camilla as a couple to the public was put on hold in light of Diana’s death

Princess Diana tragically passed away after a car accident in Paris. The accident also claimed the lives of her partner, businessman Dodi Fayed, and the driver, Henri Paul. The plan to introduce Prince Charles and Camilla as a couple to the public was put on hold in light of Diana’s death.

JULY 1997: Charles threw a birthday party for Camilla

As his split with Diana was formalised, Charles threw a 50th birthday party for Camilla at his home of Highgrove

As his split with Diana was formalised, Charles threw a 50th birthday party for Camilla at his home of Highgrove. Eighty guests, including Mrs. Parker Bowles’ ex-husband Andrew and his second wife, gathered – although there weren’t any royals invited.

28 AUGUST, 1996: Prince of Wales and Princess Diana finalise divorce 

After two years of separation, the Prince and Princess of Wales finalised their divorce. Neither were present at the court when the divorce was granted

After two years of separation, the Prince and Princess of Wales finalised their divorce. Neither were present at the court when the divorce was granted. 

20 NOVEMBER, 1995: Princess Diana talks about Prince Charles and Camilla’s affair on Panorama

Princess Diana spoke publicly about Prince Charles and Camilla’s affair an interview with BBC’s Panorama

Princess Diana spoke publicly about Prince Charles and Camilla’s affair an interview with BBC’s Panorama. In a shocking interview Diana said: ‘There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded.’

18 OCTOBER, 1995: Camilla Parker Bowles and Prince Charles attend party together for the first time 

The couple attended a party together for mutual friend Lady Sarah Keswick. They reportedly danced together for hours at the event. (Pictured in 1999)

The couple attended a party together for mutual friend Lady Sarah Keswick. They reportedly danced together for hours at the event. 

11 JANUARY, 1995: Camilla Parker Bowles and Andrew Parker Bowles announce divorce

Camilla and her husband Andrew Parker Bowles finally divorced after living apart for at least two years

Camilla and Andrew Parker Bowles finally divorced after living apart for at least two years. Speculation started swirling in the press that the Prince of Wales and Princess Diana’s divorce was also imminent.

29 JUNE, 1994: Prince Charles says Camilla has ‘been a friend for a very long time’ in documentary

A two-and-a-half hour documentary on Prince Charles premiered which touched on his affair with Camilla

A two-and-a-half hour documentary on Prince Charles premiered which touched on his affair with Camilla.  When asked if he had been ‘faithful and honorable’ to Diana, he said: ‘Yes, yes…until it became irretrievably broken down, us both having tried.’ When asked about Camilla, he said: ‘She has been a friend for a very long time—and will continue to be a friend for a very long time.’

17 JANUARY, 1993: Phone call between Prince Charles and Camilla was leaked

A transcript of a phone conversation between Prince Charles and Camilla was leaked just a month after the heir to the throne and Princess Diana announced their official split

A transcript of a phone conversation between Prince Charles and Camilla was leaked just a month after the heir to the throne and Princess Diana announced their official split. In the transcript, which caused huge scandal, the pair spoke about their physical relationship and how much they wanted and cared about one another. The incident was referred to as Camillagate.

2 FEBRUARY, 1989: The Princess of Wales confronted Camilla about her affair with Prince Charles   

An audiotape Princess Diana made for her biographer, revealed that she had confronted Camilla about her affair with Prince Charles at Camilla’s sister Annabel Elliota’s 40th birthday party (pictured in 1980)

An audiotape Princess Diana made for her biographer revealed that she had confronted Camilla about her affair with Prince Charles at Camilla’s sister Annabel Elliota’s 40th birthday party. Diana stated: ‘I know what’s going on between you and Charles and I just want you to know that. She said to me: ‘You’ve got everything you ever wanted. You’ve got all the men in the world fall in love with you and you’ve got two beautiful children, what more do you want?’ So I said, ‘I want my husband.’

1986: Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles began having an affair 

Unhappy in their respective marriages, Prince Charles and Camilla reportedly began having an affair

Unhappy in their respective marriages, Prince Charles and Camilla reportedly began having an affair. 

29 JULY, 1981: Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer 

The Prince of Wales married Lady Diana Spencer before a television audience of 750 million people

The Prince of Wales married Diana Spencer before a television audience of 750 million people. Their big day was dampened when, days before the wedding, Diana discovered a gold bracelet Prince Charles had made for Camilla, which featured a charm engraved with the letters F and G, which stood for Fred and Gladys, Prince Charles and Camilla’s pet names for each other. 

1980: Prince Charles begins dating Princess Diana

Despite his relationship with Camilla, Prince Charles started dating Lady Diana Spencer, who was born into an aristocratic family and was more suited to wed the heir to the throne (pictured in 1982)

Despite his relationship with Camilla, Prince Charles started dating Lady Diana Spencer. Born into an aristocratic family, Diana was more suited to wed the heir to the throne, according to royal family traditions and beliefs. Camilla and Diana were both spotted attending one of Prince Charles polo matches. 

4 JULY, 1973: Camilla marries Andrew Parker Bowles 

Camilla married Andrew Parker Bowles and they went on to have a son Tom in 1974, and daughter Laura in 1978

Camilla married Andrew Parker Bowles and they went on to have a son Tom in 1974, and daughter Laura in 1978. Charles and Camilla remained close, and the Prince of Wales even became Tom’s godfather. 

JUNE, 1970:  Prince Charles and Camilla Shand met at a polo match

The 24-year-old debutante Camilla Shand reportedly met 22-year-old Prince Charles at a polo match at Great Windsor Park

The 24-year-old debutante Camilla Shand reportedly met 22-year-old Prince Charles at a polo match at Great Windsor Park. For Charles, it was allegedly love at first sight, and the couple began a relationship, however, forces were pulling the young couple apart, and they eventually broke up.