Queen Camilla proved to be the friendliest of exes with her first husband Andrew Parker Bowles on Thursday evening – as the duo reunited at the launch for their son Tom’s new book in London.
The King’s wife, 77, is said to still be ‘joined at the hip’ to the 84-year-old former army brigadier – despite infidelity on both sides during their 22-year marriage, which ended in 1995.
Showcasing their close bond, the pair put on a friendly display as they reunited at Tom’s event, which was held to mark the release of the food critic’s new book Cooking and The Crown: Royal Recipes From Queen Victoria To King Charles III.
It appeared to be the perfect opportunity for a family reunion, as Camilla was also joined by her daughter Laura Lopes, 46, her beloved sister Annabel Eliot, 75, and Andrew’s niece Louisa.
Camilla was beaming as she proudly attended the occasion, looking radiant in a monochrome polka dot maxi dress.
Queen Camilla (pictured right) proved to be the friendliest of exes with her first husband Andrew Parker Bowles (pictured left) on Thursday evening – as the duo reunited at the launch for their son Tom’s new book in London
Laura Lopes, Queen Camilla and Tom Parker Bowles at the Cooking and The Crown book launch in London
The royal’s sister Annabel Elliot chats to Andrew Parker Bowles while a beaming Queen Camilla poses for a photograph
Cooking and the Crown: Royal recipes from Queen Victoria to King Charles III is set to launch on September 26.
The deliciously royal recipes include Queen Camilla’s porridge, George V’s curry and the Bombe Glacée Princess Elizabeth for dessert.
Camilla and Andrew – who is dating TV presenter Anne Robinson – have maintained a strong and close friendship – and he even had a special invitation on the guest list to the King’s Coronation.
Their firm alliance comes despite a turbulent marriage spanning the two decades in which they welcomed two children, food writer Tom and artist Laura, but both committed infidelities.
Camilla was famously Charles’s ‘mistress’ during her marriage to Andrew, while the latter is described by friends as having been ‘very naughty with women’ throughout.
But it seems any differences have been put aside as the pair are ‘joined at the hip’, as one insider has previously put it – claiming they are constantly in touch and make a great team.
‘They are joined at the hip,’ according to a friend. ‘He arranges so much for her. They have lunch together the whole time. He’s right in there. He was always, and still is, Camilla’s co-conspirator.’
Andrew and Camilla divorced in 1995, saying in a statement that ‘throughout our marriage we have always tended to follow rather different interests, but in recent years we have led completely separate lives.’
Queen Camilla and Laura Lopes were all smiles at the occasion in London this evening
It appeared to be the perfect opportunity for a family reunion, as Camilla was also joined by her daughter Laura Lopes, 46, her beloved sister Annabel Eliot, 75, and Andrew’s niece Louisa (pictured left)
Beaming Queen Camilla can’t help but smiles as she poses with her children Tom and Laura
Queen Camilla and her beloved sister Annabel both attended today’s glitzy occasion
Cooking and the Crown: Royal recipes from Queen Victoria to King Charles III is set to launch on September 26. Pictured, Andrew and Tom
The following year, he married his long-term mistress Rosemary Pitman. They were together until Rosemary passed away in 2010 of cancer, aged 69.
At the time of her death it was reported that Camilla was ‘deeply saddened’ by the news.
Andrew was a guest at Charles and Camilla’s wedding in April 2005, attending their service of blessing at St George’s Chapel, Windsor.
Earlier on Thursday, Camilla revealed that she takes part in ‘Silver Swans’ dance lessons for seniors during a visit to The English National Ballet in East London.
The Queen, who is patron of the organisation, shared that she is not only a fan of dance ‘in any form’ but also dabbles in ballet herself while making a short speech on the occasion of the company’s 75th birthday.
However, having been dazzled by rehearsing ballerinas she joked: ‘The ladies today would rather show me up.’
Organised by the Royal Academy of Dance, Silver Swans are specially designed dance classes for older people.
The royal had braved the wet weather to join rehearsals at the Mulryan Centre For Dance on Leamouth Peninsula, near Canning Town station, in what was her first visit since becoming patron.
Like father, like son! Andrew and Tom pose with one another at tonight’s family event
Louisa, Andrew and Queen Camilla chat with one another at Thursday’s event in London
Andrew’s brother Simon Parker Bowles, and his son Sam Parker Bowles pose with Andrew and Tom
Andrew poses with his brother Simon as they attend Tom’s occasion for his new book launch
Annabel Elliot, Andrew Parker Bowles and Queen Camilla at today’s occasion in London
Camilla (pictured with Louisa, left, and Chioma Nnadi, right) was beaming as she proudly attended the occasion, looking radiant in a monochrome polka dot maxi dress
Once relieved of her umbrella, she was welcomed by Sir Rupert Gavin, chairman of The English National Ballet, and introduced to artistic director Aaron S. Watkin.
Dressed in a powder blue silk shirtdress by London-based designer Anna Valentine, Queen Camilla accessorised her outfit with a gold and red brooch.
She wore a number of gold and silver bracelets on her right wrist as well as what appeared to be a royal blue, woven friendship bracelet on her left wrist,
The Queen, who emphasised how ‘proud’ she was to be the patron of The English National Ballet, completed her look with a pair of round-toe, cream and black pumps.
In an informal address made in front of an enormous birthday cake to celebrate the 75th year of the company, she said: ‘I love ballet, In any form, I love dance.’
Explaining that she was also patron of ballet schools, she added: ‘I do a bit of Silver Swans myself. The ladies today would rather show me up. I do love it.
‘It’s very exciting to be able to say that I am patron.’
Queen Camilla then wished the ballet company, ‘a very happy 75th birthday’ and said: ‘I hope I shall be seeing a lot more of you in the future. Enjoy the cake.’
During her visit, the Queen looked on admiringly as a ballerina rehearsed in a studio and also met with members of staff.
She was equally treated to what appeared to be a dress rehearsal, with a pair of dancers performing impressive lifts.
The English National Ballet performs across the UK and internationally, bringing world class ballet to the widest possible audience.
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