Camilla Parker-Bowles (Camilla Parker-Bowles): biography of the Duchess of Cornwall

Who is Camilla Parker Bowles? This question is likely to be answered by many: "The mistress of Prince Charles, who became his wife after the death of Princess Diana." About life of this extraordinary woman is not known so much. Let's try to fill this gap and find out some interesting details of her biography.

Childhood Camille

Our heroine was born on July 17, 1947 in the capital of Great Britain. In the family of Major Bruce Middleton Hope Scand and Rosalind Maud Shand, descended from a noble family of nobles. It was the first child. Camille's parents were often invited to Buckingham Palace for various celebrations. Despite the fact that they did not possess loud titles, they had a dream to grow up from their children, who were three in the family, real aristocrats. To this end, for the education of their eldest daughter, they constantly invited nannies and governesses who sought to instill in the girl good manners. But even then, Camille was not very interested in the entertainment of high society. All this she preferred riding and playing with boys. Not surprisingly, this "little girl" quickly adopted from their new friends their manners: foul language, far from spitting and so on. Little Shand did not make a real lady. Parents, seeing this, decided to give his daughter to the guesthouse of Dambrells, who was known for his iron discipline. After him, Camilla entered yet another educational institution - the school of Queens Gates, which was famous for preparing wives for British aristocrats. But the miracle did not happen. After three years of training, Camilla appeared in the parents' home, demonstrating complete indifference to good manners. It was still the same "little girl", only thinner and stretched by 7 cm.

Meeting with Andrew Parker-Bowles

In the circle of her girlfriends, Camilla was distinguished by a relaxed and good sense of humor, which was so unusual for London ladies. Past such an extraordinary girl could not pass heartthrob and handsome Andrew Parker-Bowles. He was an officer in the Royal Cavalry. He was always surrounded by young flirts. But he turned his attention only to Miss Shand. Their romance was pretty tedious. Andrew was in the house of Camille's parents. Everyone expected him to offer a hand and a heart. But the officer did not hurry. And, going on a regular military campaign, he promised the bride to return soon. "You do not have to hurry, we're leaving," answered proud Camilla. Parker Bowles did not object and left the house of the failed bride. As it seemed, forever ...

The novel with the prince

And soon Camille met Him. On the lawn of the Great Windsor Park, Prince Charles spent an hour fumbling with his favorite pony. Camille asked him about whether this "horse" is not too small for him. The mocking tone of the girl and her laughing eyes he remembered for a long time. From that moment the young people were inseparable. The Prince of Wales, as he later claimed, fell in love then at first sight. Now, at all events - be it jumps, parties or formal receptions - they appeared together. The rest of the Christmas holidays, lovers spent in the ancestral estate of Uncle Charles, who left at their disposal a huge house. Only the bedrooms in it were seven. Food and champagne from the couple were so much that it would be enough until next Christmas. There the Prince of Wales first confessed to the chosen one in love and asked the article to be his wife.

Unfavorable bride

When crowned relatives of Charles learned about his matchmaking, they came in complete confusion. The inhabitants of Buckingham Palace knew perfectly well that Camille could not enter the royal family. They definitely liked the girl. But nothing more. Why Miss Shand can not be accepted into their circle? Well, at least because the girl has the reputation of an easily accessible person. The royal family is the standard of integrity, piety and stiffness. According to the unofficial code of British monarchs, the bride of the future king can only be a girl from a good family, and necessarily a virgin. Camilla 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 never decided to officially make a proposal to his beloved. Relatives pushed him, and Charles was forced to surrender. When the Prince of Wales came back, in one of the local newspapers he read about the engagement of the former bride with Andrew Parker Bowles. He was seized by confusion. Charles decides to continue the relationship with the former Miss Shand. Lovers meet, and despite the fact that now Camille is already a married lady. Andrew turned out to be a progressive man, stating "free relations" in marriage. Soon in the family of an officer of the Royal Army was born the first-born, who was named Thomas. It seemed that this should put an end to the relationship of lovers. What is Camille Parker Bowles doing? News from the United Kingdom screamed that this extraordinary woman called to her godparents son of her lover. So the future king as a family friend became the second pope for Thomas.

Choosing a bride for the prince

Heir to the throne continued to meet with his beloved Camilla. And this despite the fact that she was married, and in her family growing up baby. 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. It could not last long. Residents of Buckingham Palace realized that the prince needed to get married urgently. In the bride he was found a girl who was called Diana Spencer. She was younger than Charles for 12 years and came from a noble but poor family. The girl was brilliantly educated. She was expected to have a great career. But after the death of her parents, Diana had a hard time. In London she had to work as a nanny, a cook, and a teacher. Her meeting with the prince took place in 1977. Camille Parker Bowles contributed to this. I must say that the mistress of the prince took the side of the royal court, deciding to help Charles acquire a family. Diana was an excellent candidate for the role of wife of the future monarch. First, from a good family, and secondly, a virgin. Everything was developing as best as possible.

Charles's wedding with Diana

Newspapers published information about the new novel of the crowned heir. July 29, 1981, the wedding of the Prince of Wales and Diana Spencer. Charles's lover was personally struck from the list of guests invited to the wedding ceremony by his bride. Therefore, to see how her beloved marries another, poor Mrs. Parker-Bowles could only on TV. The prince's wedding was called "fairytale". The British wanted to believe that the future queen would bring a lot of light and joy in their lives. Nobody thought that this fairy tale would end in an eerie tragedy. In the meantime, the Crown Prince and his chosen one were radiantly smiling and waving from their dear coach to their subjects. By this time, Charles and Camilla 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 that he thought about his young wife. He called it "monstrous" and "insensitive as marble." The wedding trip for both of them became torture. In public, husband and wife tried to be attentive and affectionate to each other. Soon the royal family was born first-born, who was named William. Camille and Charles continued to meet, but as friends. The former mistress became a "vest" for the prince. It was to her that he told everything that he had in his heart. Soon his marriage with Diane cracked. It is difficult to say which of the crowned spouses first violated the oath of allegiance. Charles resumed his love relationship with Camilla.

The wedding of Camille and Charles

After the death of Princess Diana, Charles's mistress decides to end this vicious bond forever. Camille Parker Bowles in his youth was more determined. But the years take their toll. She's fifty. And the prince after the death of his wife decided that the last obstacle to his reunification with his beloved had now collapsed. Camille still could not say a word to him from the prepared farewell speech. And Charles was ready to do anything to make it close. But how to reconcile the British society with their relationship? The death of the adored by the people of Diana added even more dislike to the union of the two lovers. Throughout the last time, the Prince of Wales carefully and accurately introduced his girlfriend into the light. Lovers photographed together. Newspapers vied with each other about their long relationship. In 1999, Camilla's official acquaintance with the children of the Prince - William and Harry. And in the same year, lovers and their children went on their first joint cruise in the Mediterranean. In 2000, the relationship between the prince and Camilla was recognized by the Queen Mother. Two years later, Mrs. Parker Bowles came to a concert in Buckingham Palace with Elizabeth II. In February 2005, the ceremony of marriage of the Prince of Wales and Camilla took place. After the wedding, the former mistress of Charles began to be called only "Her Royal Majesty." The longest novel in the history of the British royal family ended in marriage.

Happy mother and grandmother

This year, Camille Parker Bowles, now known as Camilla Rosemary Mountbetten-Windsor, celebrates its 68th birthday. All her free time is occupied by her grandchildren, whom she has five. Her son Thomas had two children: Lola's daughter and Freddie's son. And the daughter of Laura has three of them: Elsa and the twins Luis and Gus.

It's been many years since Camilla and Charles met. They had a lot to go through together. But, no matter what, they managed to keep their deep feelings. It turned out that love can conquer everything. It is stronger than any turmoil, royal laws, negative public opinion. Happiness is to be next to your beloved or loved one every day and to enjoy together with simple things.