Queen Camilla

Lore & Background

Camilla Rosemary Shand was born on 17 July 1947 at King's College Hospital, London, the eldest of three children of Major Bruce Shand and Rosalind (née Cubitt). Her maternal great-grandmother Alice Keppel was a mistress of King Edward VII. She was raised between an 18th-century country house in East Sussex and a London home in South Kensington. She attended Dumbrells school, Queen's Gate School, a finishing school in Switzerland, and studied French at the British Institute in Paris. She worked as a secretary and receptionist before marrying Andrew Parker Bowles in 1973, with whom she had two children, Tom and Laura. The couple divorced in 1995.

Camilla and Charles met in mid-1971 through a mutual friend and began a romantic relationship, which was well known within their social circle. The relationship ended in early 1973 after Charles went overseas with the Royal Navy. They later resumed their involvement, and after both were divorced, they married in 2005. From 1994, Camilla campaigned to raise awareness of osteoporosis, earning several honours and awards. She also campaigned on rape, sexual abuse, illiteracy, animal welfare and poverty. Since becoming queen consort, she carries out public engagements representing the monarch and is patron of numerous charities.

Reader's Guide

Camilla's significance lies in her role as queen consort after a long and highly publicised relationship with Charles, which reshaped public perceptions of the monarchy. Her marriage to Charles in 2005, following the death of Princess Diana, marked a gradual acceptance by the British public and the Church of England. As queen consort, she supports the monarch in official duties and continues her charitable work, particularly in osteoporosis awareness, which she has championed since 1994. Her legacy includes navigating a controversial personal history to become a stable consort, and her advocacy for health and social issues. The article notes that her childhood was described as 'perfect in every way' and that she was known for 'inner strength' and 'magnetism and confidence' by a schoolmate.

Did You Know?

• Camilla was baptised on 1 November at St. Peter's Church, Firle, East Sussex.
• She left Queen's Gate School with one O-level in 1964.
• Her wedding to Andrew Parker Bowles in 1973 was considered the 'society wedding of the year' with 800 guests.
• She was reportedly fired from a receptionist job after arriving late from a dance.