The heir apparent’s wife Charlesthe Prince of WalesCamilla becomes queen consort when Charles succeeds to the throne.
She was part of the Royal family and in the public eye for years, but on her birthday, discover everything you need to know about Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.
How old is Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall?
The Duchess of Cornwall turns 75 today as she was born on 17 July 1947.
Who is Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall?
The Duchess of Cornwall was born Camilla Rosemary Shand, to parents Major Bruce Middleton Hope Shand and the Hon Rosalind Maud Shand (nee Cubitt).
Camilla has a sister named Annabel Elliot, and she had a brother, Mark Shand, who died in 2014.
She attended Dumbrells School, a coeducational school in Sussex, and before attending Queen’s Gate School in South Kensington. Camilla also studied abroad, at the Mon Fertile School in Switzerland and at the Institut Britannique in Paris.
The Story of Charles and Camilla
Who was Camilla married to and does she have children?
In 1973 she married Andrew Parker Bowles, a retired British Army officer.
Together they had two children: Tom Parker Bowlesfood writer and food critic, born in 1974, and Laura Lopes, an art curator born in 1978. Camilla and Andrew divorced in 1995.
Tom talked about how Camilla cooked for the family when he was growing up and said: “My father was often away with the army or in London, but Mum cooked a lot. She never liked pies, not baking. Meat. Fish. That’s what she did.”
The Duchess of Cornwall has five grandchildren, not counting the grandchildren of the Prince of Wales, of whom she is their step-grandmother.
Camilla’s son, Tom, has two children: Lola, born in 2007, and Frederick, born in 2010, and Tom has previously described Camilla as “brilliant” with his daughter.
Camilla’s daughter, Laura, has three children: Eliza, born in 2008, and twins Gus and Louis, born in 2009.
When did Camilla and Charles get married?
The wedding day of Charles and Camilla
Camilla married Charles, the Prince of Wales, in a civil ceremony at the Guildhall in Windsor on April 9, 2005.
The wedding was supposed to be a civil ceremony because both the bride and groom had previously divorced, and Charles became the first member of the royal family to marry without a religious service.
They then had a prayer and dedication service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, presided over by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Queen then hosted a reception for the couple at the castle.
Will Camilla be the queen?
When Charles succeeds to the throne, Camilla becomes queen consort, which is the title given to the king’s wife. She will be crowned and anointed alongside Prince Charles and will be referred to as Queen Camilla.
Queen Elizabeth herself has openly supported Camilla’s becoming queen consort.
On her platinum anniversary, the Queen said, “I remain eternally grateful and humbled by the loyalty and affection you continue to bestow on me.
“And when my son Charles becomes king in time, I know that 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 faithful service.”
