QUEEN Camilla has been in the public eye for decades.
Here is her journey from meeting King Charles to becoming Queen.
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Camilla Parker Bowles met King Charles
1971
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Charles and Camilla met in 1971Credit: Rex
King Charles and Queen Camilla met and struck up a friendship way before they eventually went on to get married.
They were just 23 when their worlds first collided in 1971 thanks to their mutual friend Lucia Santa Cruz.
The pair have had quite the relationship timeline, starting out by constantly talking on the phone and now being the King and Queen of England
It has been said that it didn’t take long for the two of them to fall for each other but they couldn’t be in a romantic relationship straight away due to warnings from Charles’ great-uncle Lord Mountbatten.
He had said that Camilla was not sufficiently aristocratic, which meant they went their separate ways.
Camilla moved on when Charles left to serve in the Royal Navy, and he returned to find her engaged to another man.
Camilla married Andrew Parker Bowles
July 1973
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Queen Camilla on her wedding day to AndrewCredit: Hulton Picture Company
Camilla had been proposed to by Andrew Parker Bowles, who had previously dated Charles’ sister, Princess Anne.
Camilla got engaged to and married Andrew in 1973, while Charles wed the late Princess Diana on July 29, 1981.
Camilla and Andrew were married for 22 years and had a son and daughter together.
Camilla’s sister’s birthday bash
January 1999
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Camilla and Charles left the venue togetherCredit: Getty
King Charles threw a 50th birthday party for Camilla’s sister at the Ritz.
The pair arrived at the party separately but left together.
The event was the focus of season six, episode one of The Crown.
Queen Camilla ‘tried to hold King back’ after cancer treatment as she reveals he’s ‘thrilled’ with his return to work
King Charles and Camilla publically dating
April 1999
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King Charles and Camilla leaving The Lyric TheatreCredit: Nunn Syndication
King Charles and Camilla went to the Lyric Theatre to see the play “Animal Crackers” by the Marx brothers.
This picture confirmed that the two were publically dating.
King Charles and Camilla engaged
March 2005
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King Charles and Camilla got engaged in 2005Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
The pair announced their engagement at Windsor in February 2005 – 35 years after they first met.
Camilla debuted a platinum engagement ring with a five-carat emerald-cut diamond and baguettes along the side in an Art Deco design
The piece is believed to have come from the Queen Mother’s collection.
King Charles had to go to his mother to ask for permission to marry Camilla and she gave her consent.
King Charles and Camilla get married
April 2005
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King Charles and Camilla on their wedding dayCredit: AFP
The pair wed in an intimate civil ceremony at Windsor Castle on April 9, 2005.
The couple only had 28 guests in attendance, which included his sister Princess Anne and brother Prince Andrew.
King Charles wanted things to “run as smoothly as possible”, especially considering the controversy surrounding his relationship with Camilla.
Phones and cameras were prohibited at the royal ceremony.
Wedding gifts were banned.
King Charles and Camilla with their children
April 2005
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King Charles and Camilla with their childrenCredit: Getty
The newlyweds stood with their children after the civil ceremony.
Prince William and Prince Harry, and Camilla’s children from her first marriage, Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes.
Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service
Late Queen Elizabeth
Camilla Installed as a Royal Lady of the Order of the Garter
June 2022
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Camilla was installed as a Royal Lady of the Order of the GarterCredit: Paul Edwards
Camilla was installed as a Royal Lady of the Order of the Garter — an appointment made by the late Queen Elizabeth.
She joined other members of the royal family in the prestigious organisation — including her husband, King Charles, and the Queen’s other children.
Her appointment is significant as those who marry into the royal family are rarely included in the order.
Camilla becomes Queen
September 2022
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Camilla becomes Queen ConsortCredit: Getty
Camilla became Queen Consort on September 8 2022 upon her husband’s accession as Charles III, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
In her Platinum Jubilee message, the late Queen stated that she “sincerely wished” for Camilla to become Queen Consort.
She said: “I am fortunate to have had the steadfast and loving support of my family.
“I was blessed that in Prince Philip, I had a partner willing to carry out the role of consort and unselfishly make the sacrifices that go with it.
“It is a role I saw my own mother perform during my father’s reign.
“This anniversary also affords me a time to reflect on the goodwill shown to me by people of all nationalities, faiths and ages in this country and around the world over these years.
“I would like to express my thanks to you all for your support.
“I remain eternally grateful for, and humbled by, the loyalty and affection that you continue to give me.
“And when, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know 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 loyal service.”
King Charles discharged from the hospital
January 2024
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Queen Camilla accompanies King Charles III as he leaves the London Clinic in central LondonCredit: PA
Charles stepped back from public duties after he was diagnosed with cancer in January.
The shock announcement came just eight days after he was released from hospital following a “corrective procedure” for an enlarged prostate.
But it remains unclear when Charles will be able to resume full-time public appearances.
Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief for Majesty Magazine told Fabulous: “The responsibility of ‘being in charge’ while he stays in the background has been in her capable hands. She has done brilliantly.
“Charles is incredibly grateful.”
