Today she is Queen, but Camilla Parker Bowles' path to the throne has been far from straightforward. Originally cast as the villain in the then Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales' love story, she was once labelled 'Britain's most hated woman'.
However, despite the odds, Camilla, 76, has remained steadfastly by Charles' side and, according to Ingrid Seward, is now 'the strength behind the crown', particularly following His Majesty's cancer diagnosis, and The Princess of Wales' recent operation. Here, Ingrid looks at her transformation.
Early days
Their love story began in 1971, when Prince Charles was invited to a party in Belgravia. A 24-year-old Camilla Shand, who was in an on-off relationship with Andrew Parker Bowles, was invited by neighbour Lucía Santa Cruz to meet the heir to the throne. 'There was an instant warmth between the two,' recalls Ingrid.
Romance soon blossomed and Charles' uncle, Lord Mountbatten, 'told the Prince he could use his family home, Broadlands in Hampshire, whenever he wanted, so he could be alone with Camilla without anyone knowing.' The relationship came to its 'inevitable end' in 1973, when the Prince's naval career demanded that he sail to the Caribbean, separating the couple for a year. Now, Ingrid reveals that during their last weekend at Broadlands, the 'idea of proposing to Camilla occurred' to Charles but he was 'fearful of being rejected'.
Camilla reunited with and married Andrew Parker Bowles, leaving Charles 'heartbroken'. But later, on 29 July 1981, it appeared he had finally moved on as he exchanged vows with 19-year-old Lady Diana Spencer, with Camilla attending.
The reunion
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 2024-Ausgabe von Woman & Home UK.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 2024-Ausgabe von Woman & Home UK.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Sporting SENSATIONS
Olympian Tessa Sanderson CBE reflects on winning gold and shines a spotlight on some of Team GB's outstanding women
The ROYAL REPORT
One of the many privileges of working alongside the royal family is to see them up close and unvarnished.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF Dame Denise Lewis
The Olympian and BBC pundit, 51, lives in Buckinghamshire with her husband Steve. She has four children.
BRIGHT & breezy
Diana and Andy Irving set out to recreate American East Coast living at their Merseyside home, with spectacular results
Why a slim body MIGHT NOT BE A HEALTHY ONE
This month, our expert Annie Deadman reveals why eating well is essential, no matter what size your clothing labels say
My mother's GIFTS
When Genevieve Kingston's mother learnt she was dying, she found a poignant way to mark her children's milestones
IT'S GOOD to talk
The last six months have seen unprecedented candour from the Royal Family. Emily Andrews asks, is this the end for 'never complain, never explain'?
Sultry southern CHARM
Stretched along Italy's heel, Puglia offers a slice of the Italian good life, with peaceful hotels, indulgent meals and low-key glamour, says Lucy Thackray
FRUITY PUDDINGS
Easy crowd-pleasing desserts that can be made ahead of time
Are weddings OUT OF CONTROL?
You can’t put a price on love, but marriages these days can be eye-wateringly costly, as Christabel Smith discovers