The death of Queen Elizabeth II at the age of 96 changed the entire line of succession in the royal family, elevating one of the most controversial figures in the recent history of the British monarchy to the post of Queen Consort: Camilla Parker Bowles, wife of the sworn King Charles III (+ see the new Sovereign’s bizarre quirks).
Charles and Camilla have been officially married since 2005, But their relationship began in the 1970s, long before the thenPrince met Lady Diana Spencer.whose death turned 25 last month.
for many years Camilla bore the burden (often, alone, and unfairly) of being known as the person who destroyed the Diana and Charles fairy tale. or rather, it only helped, albeit unintentionally, to reveal the reality of the facade marriage, which was much more reminiscent of a horror fairy tale.
Despite being a constant target of attacks, Camilla always maintained a high stance. “It wasn’t easy, I was scrutinized for so long I had to find a way to live with it. Nobody likes being looked at and criticized all the time. But I think I got over it in the end, although I still carry that with me. You have to get on with life‘ she said in an interview with Vogue.
Next, Purepeople lists oddities the intense, complex and contentious life of Camilla, the new queen of the British monarchy!
CURIOSITIES ABOUT CAMILLA PARKER BOWLES, THE QUEEN OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
1) Camilla Rosemary Shand was born on July 17, 1947 around 7am. She is the daughter of Rosalind Cubitt, a member of the British aristocracy, and Bruce Shand, an army officer and wine merchant.
2) Rosalind died at the age of 74 from complications of osteoporosis. Her mother’s struggle prompted Camilla to join the cause and she became President of Britain’s National Osteoporosis Society.
3) Camilla has been taking hormone replacement pills for years to combat the effects of osteoporosis.
4) Camilla is linked to multiple causes. In recent years, she has used her speeches to warn against violence against women. “Domestic violence is a problem for everyone and so must the solution,” he said.
5) Camilla used to smoke 30 cigarettes a day, the equivalent of a pack and a half. However, at the request of Prince Charles, she gave up the habit.
6) Vain, Camilla spends around £7,500 a month on beauty treatments, hair and makeup.
7) Although not a great cook, Camilla excels at preparing three special dishes: roast beef, Yorkshire pudding and roast chicken.
8) Even before her involvement in the royal family, Camilla was already appearing in the pages of the tabloids due to her dating of eligible bachelors. Relations with Kevin Burke and Rupert Hambro made the pages of British newspapers around the 1960s.
9) Camilla met the then Prince Charles in 1971 and shot the boy a brilliant sentence: “My greatgrandmother was your greatgreatgrandfather’s lover. What do you say?”. Camilla’s greatgrandmother, Alice Keppel, was one of the mistresses of King Edward VII, Charles’ greatgreatgrandfather.
10) Prince Charles III fell in love with Camilla as soon as he met her, but the relationship didn’t progress because he went on an 8month mission in the Navy. As soon as she returned, she was already engaged to Andrew Parker Bowles, a British military officer. According to legend, this trip was precisely a strategy used by Louis Mountbatten, the future sovereign’s mentor, to keep the lovebirds away.
11) One of the reasons cited as crucial to the royal family being against Camilla’s relationship with Charles in the 1970s was the fact that she was no longer a virgin. She lost her virginity to a classmate at the age of 17.
12) Although Camilla and Charles weren’t dating as a couple, they still frequented the same environments. Mainly because he was Prince Andrew’s polo partner. Such was the closeness that Charles christened the couple’s first child, Tom Parker Bowles. Yes, decades later, Tom’s godfather became his stepfather.
13) Anyone who thinks Camilla opposed Charles’s marriage to Diana Spencer is wrong: she was one of the main promoters of the marriage, largely because he wanted to please his mother and the traditions of the monarchy.
14) Camilla and Charles’ first public appearance as a couple was in 1999, two years after Diana’s death.
15) Camilla and Charles were officially married in 2005. She celebrated their union in a dress designed by Anna Valentine. She used models by the same designer on other occasions, such as Prince Harry’s wedding to Meghan Markle.
16) Camilla and Charles’ wedding attracted 20,000 people.
17) After her marriage to Prince Charles II, the natural tendency for her was to assume the title Princess of Wales, the same one Diana received in 1981. However, she preferred to be called the Duchess of Cornwall in order not to disrespect her deceased memory.
18) With the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Camilla becomes Queen Consort. This is the title given to women who are wives of kings. The title of Queen is simply bestowed upon women who are direct descendants of the monarchy. However, it is expected that over time she will be called “Queen Camilla” by the public. It should be remembered that Camilla’s recognition as Queen was a direct request from Elizabeth. “It is my sincere wish that when the time comes, Camilla will be known as the Queen Consort while she continues in her own royal service,” the monarch said.
19) At the coronation of King Charles III. Camilla will wear the 1937 tiara that belonged to Elizabeth II’s mother. The jewelry contains a 105 carat diamond.