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Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles’ Love Story — Get All the Details on Their Scandalous Royal Romance!

Published

9 years ago

June 16, 2017

Talk about an infamous royal romance!

Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles‘ love story will always be known as one of the most scandalous affairs in the history of the British monarchy.

Since Charles and Camilla’s courtship has spanned so many years — and is frankly, a bit complicated! — we’ve rounded up all the important details of their relationship. Scroll down to see everything you need to know!

MORE: Prince Charles Mourns the Death of His Godmother Lady Mountbatten

How did Charles and Camilla meet?

The duo — who belonged to the same social circle and often attended the same events — first met in mid-1971 when they were formerly introduced at a party by their mutual friend, Lucia Santa Cruz.

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Charles and Camilla in 1979. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Charles and Camilla began dating soon after, and started to meet members of each other’s families. In 1973, the prince traveled overseas to join the Royal Navy and his relationship with Camilla subsequently ended.

There are many rumors about why the couple originally split, but many believe that even if they had stayed together, Charles’ relationship with Camilla would have eventually been deemed unsuitable by the royal family.

MORE: Prince Charles Turned to Friend Nancy Regan During Demise of His Marriage to Princess Diana

When did their royal affair begin?

In 1973, Camilla announced her engagement to Andrew Parker Bowles and the two later married in July of that year. By 1979, rumors began swirling that Charles and Camilla had rekindled their romantic relationship. At the time, it was reported that Camilla’s husband, Andrew, didn’t mind her affair because he was also sleeping with other women.

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Charles, Camilla, and their families at their 2005 wedding. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Charles tied the knot with Princess Diana in July 1981. A decade later, the prince’s ongoing affair with Camilla became public knowledge and in 1993, the “Camillagate” scandal — wherein transcripts of an intimate telephone conversation between the couple were published — came to light.

Following “Camillagate,” Charles and Camilla were crucified by the media. “I couldn’t go really go anywhere. It was horrid. It was a deeply unpleasant time and I wouldn’t want to put my worst enemy through it,” the Duchess of Cornwall recently said of the time after their affair was revealed.

MORE: Find out How Princess Diana Once Tried to Save Her Marriage to Prince Charles

When did they get married?

Camilla divorced her husband, Andrew, in 1995 and Charles similarly split with Diana in 1996. The pair later became engaged in February 2005 when Charles presented Camilla with an engagement ring once worn by his royal grandmother.

After Charles’ mother, Queen Elizabeth, consented the marriage, the prince and Camilla tied the knot in a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall in August 2005. Though Charles’ parents, Elizabeth and Prince Philip, did not attend the civil ceremony, they were present at a service of blessing and held a reception for the newlyweds at Windsor Castle.

Do Charles and Camilla have any kids together?

No. Charles is a father to two sons — Prince William and Prince Harry — from his marriage to Diana. Camilla similarly has two children — son Tom Parker Bowles and daughter Laura Lopes — from her marriage to Andrew.