King Charles and Queen Camilla: Their relationship from 1970 to 2024 in photos

According to People, then Prince Charles and Camilla Shand met through a mutual friend, Lucia Santa Cruz. 

That year Prince Charles joined the Royal Navy and the distance as well as the lack of time led the young couple to separate. There are also reports that hint at the Royal Family's distaste for Camilla which is what could have led to the Prince being sent away.

Though they weren't romantically involved, the two continued to navigate the same circles. Here they are at a polo match. 

The couple married which reportedly devastated Charles. Also, funny enough, Andrew Parker Bowles is a former boyfriend of Princess Anne. 

In 1974, Camilla and Captain Andrew Parker-Bowles welcomed their first child, Tom.

While his love is married and with a new baby, Prince Charles embraces his royal work. Here he is in Fiji. 

In 1978, Camilla and her husband welcomed their second child, Laura. 

Coincidently, in 1978 and until 1979, it has been reported that Prince Charles and Camilla started having an affair. According to royal author Penny Junor, Camilla's husband knew and 'didn't make a fuss'. 

Even though Charles still had feelings for Camilla, he started courting Lady Diana Spencer. Diana was more suited as a royal bride. 

The two women in Charles' life attended the same polo match. 

In front of the whole world, Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer who became known as The Princess of Wales. Camilla was a guest at the wedding. 

In 1982, the heir to the throne, Prince William was born. Then in 1984, Prince Harry entered the world. 

According to recordings Princess Diana made for biographer Andrew Morton, she knew about the affair. 

Though Princess Diana reportedly confronted Camilla, the affair continued. Meanwhile, Charles and Diana stayed together. 

This picture was taken 3 November 1992. A month later, on 9 December, the official announcement of the Prince and Princess of Wales' separation was made. 

The audio of private calls between Camilla and Charles leaked and the transcripts were handed out to British tabloids. These calls dated back to 1989 and included risqué passages as well as declarations of love. 

Before Prince Andrew's disastrous interview in 2009, there was Prince Charles' 1994 ITV interview. When asked if he had been ‘faithful and honourable’ during his union to Princess Diana, Charles answered: ‘Yes … until it became irretrievably broken down, us both having tried.’

In January, the couple announced their divorce. At the same time, they shared that they had been separated fro two years. This fueled the Charles and Diana divorce rumours. 

In October, though Prince Charles was still married to Diana, he and Camilla attended a party and were seen dancing together for a couple of hours. Before that, Camilla had been seen at Balmoral. This marked a clear shift in their relationship - they were no longer fully hiding. 

In November, Princess Diana gave an interview on the BBC in which she addressed Prince Charles' affair. A quote which is often remembered is: ‘There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded.’
Princess Diana also admitted to her own affair with James Hewitt. 

In February, Princess Diana finally agreed to a divorce which was finalised in August of that year. 

According to The Guardian in 1998, 'royal aides confirmed Prince William had met his father's companion Camilla Parker Bowles for the first time'. The meeting happened at St James' Palace where Prince William made an unexpected visit. The meeting reportedly lasted around 30 minutes. 

According to another royal biographer, Tom Bower, in the summer, Prince Charles decided to speak to his mother about welcoming Camilla in the Royal Family. A conversation that did not go well and reportedly left Charles in tears. 

When her sister celebrated her birthday at The Ritz in London, Charles and Camilla made their relationship official. Though their didn't arrive together they did leave the party at the same time to the delight of more than a hundred photographers. 

According to People the Queen went to lunch with the couple which was a quiet way of saying she approved. 

The events was for the National Osteoporosis Society. 

Shortly after the move, an office for Camilla was set up. She was now definitely part of the Royal Family.

35 years after they first met and after so many ups and down, the couple announced their engagement in February of 2005. 

Their happily ever after finally happened. The two got married in a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip didn't attend the ceremony but joined a blessing at St George's Chapel. Camilla became the Duchess of Cornwall. The title of Princess of Wales remained Diana's. 

While on a State Visit in Singapore Prince Charles and Camilla kissed in public. It is significant - it was only the third time they did it in public. 

When Prince Charles and Camilla got engaged and married, it was announced that when Charles would ascend the throne Camilla would be known as the Princess Consort. However, in February 2022, Queen Elizabeth released a statement which said: ‘it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service.’

The same year, Queen Elizabeth appointed Camilla to the Order of the Garter, ‘the most senior order of knighthood in the British honors system’ People explains. 

On 8 September 2022, when Queen Elizabeth II passed away, Charles and Camilla because the new King and Queen Consort of England. 

In May 2023, ahead of the coronation, King Charles changed his wife's title from ‘Camilla, the Queen Consort’ to ‘Queen Camilla’. 

On 6 May 2023, the couple was crowned at Westminster Abbey in London. 

Amidst health issues in January 2024, Queen Camilla made history by accompanying her husband to the hospital. Previously, monarchs and members of the Royal Family went to the hospital by themselves. 

While King Charles is out of action for an undisclosed amount of time, Queen Camilla is carrying out royal engagements by herself. A true support of the Firm and her husband.