Camilla QueenconsortoftheUnitedKingdom

British royalty, styled as the Queen consort of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms since 8 September 2022 when her husband King Charles III ascended to the throne. Previously, as Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla also carried out public engagements, often alongside her husband. She is a patron, president, or a member of numerous charities and organisations. Since 1994, Camilla has campaigned to raise awareness of osteoporosis, which has earned her several honours and awards. She has also raised awareness of issues such as rape, sexual abuse, literacy, animal welfare, and poverty. Known to her friends as Millie, she is the daughter of a well-to-do wine merchant and avid hunter and a mother who is the daughter of the third Lord Ashcombe. She spent her childhood in Sussex, before being packed off to a grim boarding school called Dumbrells. At ten, she began her ladys education at Queens Gate, a decorous London secondary school known for producing diplomats wives. Her skill was apparent as a fencer, a competitive horsewoman and an enthusiastic flirt. Never tongue-tied or shy, she went through the beaus with alacrity. She met Andrew Parker Bowles shortly after her coming-out party at 18, in 1965. She and Prince Charles probably met in 1972, when they had a brief affair. She was at the time in love with Parker Bowles, who was a dashing young calvary officer and reputedly the best lover in London. As a matter of fact, one of his conquests was Princess Anne, and Camilla was probably getting back at him by having her fling with Charles. The story, probably apocryphal, is that she said "My great-grandmother and your great-grandfather were lovers. So how about it?" They had instant rapport as they both loved horses, fishing, hiking and architecture. They always had a close, comfortable friendship, calling each other Gladys and Fred after a popular TV show. When Charles sailed to the West Indies in 1973, Camilla became engaged to Parker Bowles and they married on 4 July 1973. Their son Tom was born in 1974 and daughter Laura, in 1977. Charles was god-father to her son. During the late 70s, Parker Bowles went back to his rakish habits and Camilla and Charles were by then fast friends. Not an easy man with whom to get along, Charles never awed Camilla, who always had a smart come-back for him and a comforting word. It is a matter of tea-time debate as to when their affair resumed, this time with fire and smokescreens. In 1980, Charles purchased Highgrove, near the Parker Bowles home in Wiltshire. Meantime, Charles was being pressured to marry and produce the requisite "heir and a spare." It was while Charles and Diana were visiting at Camillas house that they became engaged. Rumours about Camillas affair with Charles came to a head in 1991 when she angrily denied that she had spent the weekend with Charles in Tuscany. After the publication of Andrew Mortons book, she was very upset and tried to keep a low profile. She and her husband separated in 1992 and divorced before the court in London on 21 January 1995. After Charles and Diana divorced, the Prince tried to gently include her in his life, having her as hostess at his dinners and gradually being seen together in public. It seemed that any chance that they might ever marry was dashed by the untimely death of Diana on 31 August 1997. However Charles popularity rating began to increase as he took over the parenting duties of his sons and engaged in more gracious public int Read less