Family, duty – and plenty of fun: the enduring love story of King Charles and his ‘darling wife’ Queen Camilla
Congratulations to the King and Queen on their 20-year wedding anniversary!
There are few relationships that have received quite as much public speculation and media scrutiny as that of the King and Queen or, as they were known when they met, Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles. But, despite the intense attention, the couple proved their bond was strong enough to stand the test of time, and they’re now celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary.
The couple first dated in the early 1970s, but went on to marry other people – Camilla rekindling a romance with Andrew Parker Bowles and getting married in 1973, and Charles marrying Lady Diana Spencer in 1981. After their respective divorces, Charles and Camilla began their public relationship and, in 2005, they married – six years after their first public outing as a couple. All of their children – Princes William and Harry, and Laura and Tom Parker Bowles – joined them on the day of their private wedding ceremony, and the couple have gone on to have 20 happy years together. In 2023, Charles and Camilla were crowned King and Queen.
In a public address when he first became King, Charles said he would count on ‘the loving help of my darling wife’ and praised ‘her own loyal public service’. As well as putting duty and family above all else, the couple proved they were capable of more than a little fun here and there. Here, we take a look back at key moments from their royal love story in pictures, from family outings and official events to heart-warming moments.
Charles and Camilla, 1979
King Charles III and Queen Camilla, formerly Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles first met in the early 1970s, and married in 2005 after years of an on-again, off-again relationship.
Their first public outing, 1999
Here, the Prince of Wales and Camilla Parker Bowles step out in public together for the first time on 28 January 1999, following the 50th birthday dinner-dance for Camilla’s sister, Annabel Elliott, at the Ritz Hotel in London.
Date night, 2000
Prince Charles and Camilla leave in the car after watching a performance of Alan Bennett’s The Lady In The Van.
Prince’s Foundation, 2000
Prince Charles and Camilla attend a reception for The Prince’s Foundation (now The King’s Foundation) in Hoxton, London.
First kiss in public, 2001
Camilla Parker Bowles, in her official role as patron of the National Osteoporosis Society, welcomes Prince Charles with a kiss to an anniversary event at Somerset House in London.
Sandringham Flower Show, 2002
Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles arrive together to attend the Sandringham Flower Show.
Sunday service, 2002
Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles arrives at Canisbay Parish Church near the Castle of Mey in Scotland, to attend Sunday service. Prince Charles wears a traditional tartan kilt with sporran.
Mey Games, 2004
The Prince of Wales and Camilla Parker Bowles enjoy a moment together during the 2004 Mey Games in Caithness, Scotland.
Wedding bells, 2005
The Prince of Wales and the newly titled Duchess Of Cornwall pose in the White Drawing Room for their official wedding photo, following their marriage at Windsor Guildhall on 9 April 2005.
Family line-up, 2005
The newly married couple are joined by their children on their wedding day. Prince Harry and Prince William stand next to their father on the left, while Laura and Tom Parker Bowles stand beside their mother on the right, as part of their official wedding photographs.
Polo match, 2005
Prince Charles kisses his wife as she presents him with his prize at the Burberry Cup polo match at Cirencester Park Polo Club.
Windswept laughs, 2007
Prince Charles looks on happily as Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, plays bowls during a visit to the Wiltshire village of Bromham on her 60th birthday.
Canada, 2009
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall pose for a photograph during a visit to Canada. While the Prince of Wales had visited many times previously, it is the Duchess’ first official visit to the country where she has ancestral links.
Pulling a pint, 2011
The Prince of Wales pulls a pint of Newton’s Drop beer alongside Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, during a visit to the Cholmeley Arms pub in a Lincolnshire village.
Tanzanian safari, 2011
While on a Royal tour highlighting environmental and social issues, Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall spend time in Arusha National Park, Tanzania.
Royal Christmas card, 2013
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall view horses in the parade ring from the Royal Box at Royal Ascot racecourse. This image was used on their official Christmas card.
Comic timing, 2015
In this perfectly timed photo, Prince Charles looks on in mock horror as Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, holds a knife during a visit to Seppeltsfield Winery in the Barossa Valley, Australia.
Three generations, 2016
During an evening reception at Buckingham Palace, Prince Charles and Camilla join Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, and Charles’ son and daughter-in-law, Prince William and the then Duchess of Cambridge.
RAF Centenary, 2018
Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, look lovingly at each other during a flypast to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force.
Family fun, 2020
Prince William and Kate join Prince Charles and Camilla for a visit to the Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre in Loughborough.
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