Who is Camilla Parker Bowles? Many will probably answer this question this way: "The lover of Prince Charles, who became his wife after the death of Princess Diana." Not much is known about the life of this outstanding woman. Let's try to fill this gap and find out some interesting details of her biography.
Camilla's childhood
Our heroine was born on July 17, 1947 in the capital of Great Britain. In the family of Major Bruce Middleton Hope Shand and Rosalind Maud Shand, who came from a noble noble family. This was the first child. Camille's parents were often invited to Buckingham Palace for various celebrations. Despite the fact that they did not have high-profile titles, they had a dream to raise from their children, of whom there were three in the family, real aristocrats. To this end, they constantly invited nannies and governesses to educate their eldest daughter, who sought to instill good manners in the girl. But even then, Camilla was little interested in the entertainment of high society. To all this, she preferred riding horses and playing with the boys. It is not surprising that this “little girl” quickly took over their manners from their new friends: to use foul language, to spit far, and so on. Little Shand didn’t make a real lady. Parents, seeing this, decided to send their daughter to the Dumbrell Guesthouse, which was known for its iron discipline. After him, Camilla entered another educational institution - the Queens Gates school, which was famous for preparing wives for British aristocrats. But the miracle did not happen. After three years of training, Camilla appeared in her parents' house, demonstrating complete indifference to good manners. It was all the same “little girl”, only losing weight and stretching for 7 cm.
Meeting with Andrew Parker Bowles
In the circle of her friends, Camilla stood out for her relaxedness and good sense of humor, which was so unusual for London young ladies. The heartbreaker and handsome Andrew Parker Bowles could not get past such an outstanding girl. He was an officer of the royal cavalry. Young flirts always surrounded him. But he turned his attention only to Miss Shand. Their romance was pretty boring. Andrew was entering Camilla's parents house. Everyone expected a marriage proposal from him. But the officer was in no hurry. And, setting off on another military campaign, he promised the bride to return soon. “You can not rush, we are breaking up, ” replied the proud Camilla. Parker Bowles did not mind and left the house of the failed bride. It seemed forever …
An affair with a prince
And soon Camilla met Him. On the lawn of the Great Windsor Park, Prince Charles was busy with his beloved pony for an hour. Camilla asked him if this "horse" was not enough for him. The mocking tone of the girl and her laughing eyes he remembered for a long time. From that moment on, young people were inseparable. The Prince of Wales, as he later claimed, fell in love then at first sight. Now at all events - whether it be horse races, parties or special receptions - they appeared together. The lovers spent the rest of the Christmas holidays in Uncle Charles's family estate, who left a huge house at their disposal. There were only seven bedrooms. The couple had so much food and champagne that would be enough until next Christmas. There, the Prince of Wales first confessed to all the chosen one in love and asked for an article by her by his wife.
Objectionable bride
When the crowned relatives of Charles learned of his matchmaking, they were completely confused. The inhabitants of Buckingham Palace were well aware that Camille could not enter the royal family. They definitely liked the girl. But no more than that. Why can't Miss Shand be accepted into their circle? Well, if only because the girl has a reputation of an easily accessible person. The royal family is the standard of integrity, piety and stiffness. According to the unwritten code of British monarchs, the bride of the future king can only be a girl from a good family, and always a virgin. Camille was not her.
Wedding with Andrew Parker Bowles
In the winter of 1973, Prince Charles went on a military campaign for a long eight months. He did not dare to officially make an offer to his beloved. Relatives pressed him, and Charles was forced to surrender. When the Prince of Wales returned, in a local newspaper he read about the engagement of the ex-bride to Andrew Parker Bowles. Confusion swept through him. Charles decides to continue his relationship with former Miss Shand. Lovers meet, and despite the fact that now Camilla is already a married lady. Andrew turned out to be a progressive person, claiming a “free relationship” in marriage. Soon the firstborn was born in the family of an officer of the Royal Army, who was named Thomas. It seemed that this should put an end to the relationship of lovers. What does Camilla Parker Bowles do? UK news shouted that this extraordinary woman had called the godfathers to the son of her lover. So the future king as a family friend became the second dad for Thomas.
Choosing a bride for the prince
The heir to the throne continued to meet with his beloved Camilla. And this despite the fact that she was married, and the baby was growing up in her family. Moreover, the woman was pregnant for the second time. Who is the father of the child? Perhaps the Prince of Wales. Lovers spent a lot of time together. While Andrew Parker Bowles preferred to have fun somewhere on the side. This could not last long. Residents of Buckingham Palace understood that the prince urgently needed to get married. In the bride he was found a girl by the name of Diana Spencer. She was 12 years younger than Charles and came from a noble but poor family. The girl was brilliantly educated. She was predicted a great career. But after the death of her parents, Diana had a hard time. In London, she had to work as a nanny, and a cook, and a teacher. Her meeting with the prince took place in 1977. Camilla Parker Bowles has contributed to this. I must say that the lover of the prince took the side of the royal court, deciding to help Charles to get a family. Diana was an excellent candidate for the role of the wife of the future monarch. Firstly, from a good family, and secondly, a virgin. Everything turned out perfectly.
Charles's wedding with Diana
Newspapers published information about the new novel of the Crowned Heir. On July 29, 1981, the wedding of the Prince of Wales and Diana Spencer took place. Charles's lover was struck out of the list of invited to the wedding ceremony by his bride. Therefore, to see how her beloved would marry another, poor Mrs. Parker Bowles could only on television. The wedding of the prince was called "fabulous." The British wanted to believe that the future queen would bring a lot of light and joy to their lives. No one then could have thought that this tale would end in a terrible tragedy. In the meantime, the Crown Prince and his chosen one smiled radiantly and waved their subjects from the expensive carriage. By this time, Charles and Camille broke up, promising not to meet again.
Together again
But already on the fifth day after the wedding, the prince called his former mistress to express everything he was thinking about his young wife. He called it "monstrous" and "insensitive like marble." A honeymoon for both of them was torture. In public, the husband and wife tried to be attentive and affectionate to each other. Soon the firstborn was born in the royal family, who was named William. Camilla and Charles continued to meet, but as friends. The former lover became a “vest” for the prince. It was to her that he told about everything that was in his soul. Soon his marriage with Diana cracked. It is difficult to say which of the crowned spouses was the first to break the oath of allegiance. Charles renewed his love relationship with Camilla.
Camilla and Charles Wedding
After the death of Princess Diana, Charles's mistress decides to end this vicious relationship forever. Camilla Parker Bowles in her youth was more decisive. But years take their toll. She's fifty. And the prince after the death of his wife decided that now the last obstacle to his reunion with his beloved had collapsed. Camilla was never able to say a word from the prepared farewell speech. And Charles was ready for anything to be there.
But how to reconcile British society with their relationship? The death of Diana, adored by the people, added even more hostility to the union of the two lovers. Throughout recent times, the Prince of Wales has carefully and carefully introduced his girlfriend. Lovers were photographed together. Newspapers vied screaming about their long relationship. In 1999, Camilla met officially with the children of the prince - William and Harry. And in the same year, lovers with their children went on the first joint cruise in the Mediterranean Sea. In 2000, the relationship between the prince and Camilla was recognized by the Queen Mother. 2 years after that, Mrs. Parker Bowles came to a concert in Buckingham Palace with Elizabeth II. In February 2005, the wedding ceremony of the Prince of Wales and Camille took place. After the wedding, Charles's former lover became known only as "Her Royal Majesty." The longest romance in the history of the British royal family ended in marriage.
