Once labelled a ‘wicked woman’, she now stands beside the King in a 20-year royal marriage
Queen Camilla and King Charles will mark 20 years of marriage on April 9—an anniversary that once seemed unlikely amid years of public disapproval and personal trials.
Their story began in 1970 at a polo match in Windsor Great Park, where Charles first met Camilla Shand. Despite a strong connection, their early romance was cut short. Charles focused on his naval career, and Camilla married British Army officer Andrew Parker Bowles in 1973, with whom she had two children.
Charles later wed Lady Diana Spencer in 1981, but their troubled marriage unfolded under the glare of the public eye. The relationship between Charles and Camilla, though discreet, persisted. It came under intense scrutiny after Diana revealed the affair in Andrew Morton's explosive 1992 biography.
Following Charles and Diana's divorce in 1996—and Camilla’s own separation—public sentiment remained harsh, especially after Diana’s tragic death in 1997. Even Queen Elizabeth reportedly disapproved of the relationship, allegedly referring to Camilla as a "wicked woman."
Still, Charles stood by Camilla, and over time, she slowly gained public and royal acceptance. In 2005, they formalised their relationship in a civil ceremony. Since then, Camilla has carried out her royal duties with quiet dedication and has earned praise for her charitable work.
Charles, in a 2005 interview, spoke openly about Camilla’s strength and the challenges she faced. Now, as they celebrate two decades of marriage, their journey stands as a powerful testament to love, resilience, and acceptance within the monarchy.
