In the 1990s, Camilla Parke Bowles was the most hated woman in the UK for having an affair with then Prince Charles while he was married to Lady Di.
When Charles admitted to having been unfaithful to Diana, Camilla began to receive scornful letters and for years the British vehemently opposed the idea of her being named queen in the future.
Now, on May 6, King Charles III will walk down the aisle of Westminster Abbey to be crowned. He will wear the crown of imperial state, the scepter and the golden orb. At his side will be Queen consort Camilla.
When did King Charles III and Camilla Parker Bowles’ relationship begin?
This is the historical timeline of Charles and Camilla’s love story over the decades, from when they first met to the present day.
1971: was the year Charles and Camilla met, they were introduced by a mutual friend Lucia Santa Cruz, according to Penny Junor’s biography. By this time Camilla was in an on-and-off relationship with Andrew Parker Bowles.
1972: Charles and Camilla begin a romantic relationship. The young prince took advantage of the polo matches at Windsor to court her. It is said that Camilla still had feelings for Andrew, who at the time was dating other women, including Princess Anne.
1973: The then Prince Charles departs on a six-month tour with the Royal Navy. Charles begs her not to go through with the wedding. In the end Camilla married Andrew.
1977: Charles meets Diana Spencer for the first time at Althorp House. At the time, he was dating her older sister, Sarah, but during this period, it is said that he still maintained his relationship with Camilla.
1980: Charles and Diana cross paths at Philip de Pass’s family home in Sussex for the weekend. From that moment on, everything grew up.
1981: Prince Charles proposes to Diana and they marry at St. Paul’s Cathedral six months later. Camilla attends the wedding. On their honeymoon, Diana claims that Charles is wearing cufflinks given to her by Camilla and sees a picture of her in his diary.
1986: According to Jonathan Dimbleby’s authorized biography of the then Prince of Wales, it was in this year that Charles and Camilla’s affair begins. Diana discovers everything and confronts Camilla at a birthday party in 1989.
1992: In June, Andrew Morton’s biography of Diana is published. It names Camilla Parker Bowles as Charles’s mistress and details their year-long affair. In December, Diana and Charles separate.
1993: The ‘Camillagate’, the transcript of a leaked 1989 telephone conversation between Charles and Camilla, comes to light.
1994: Charles admits he had an affair during an interview with Jonathan Dimbleby, the journalist asked the prince if he was ‘faithful’ during his marriage. Charles replied, “Yes.”
1995: Andrew and Camilla announce their divorce.
1996: Diana and Charles officially divorce.
1997: Princess Diana dies tragically in a car accident in Paris.
1999: Charles and Camilla make their first public appearance together at Camilla’s sister’s birthday party.
2002: Camilla attends the Queen Mother’s funeral with Charles, indicating Camilla’s acceptance by the royal family.
2003: Camilla moves in with Charles at Clarence House.
2005: Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles announce their engagement in February and marry in April. She receives the title Duchess of Cornwall instead of Princess of Wales.
2022: After 17 years of royal duties, Queen Elizabeth declares that, upon her death, Camilla will be known as Queen consort.
Finally, when Elizabeth II dies on September 8, 2022, Camilla becomes the first divorced queen consort.