Queen Camilla’s path to the throne has been history-making by any measure.
Queen Camilla and King Charles III have now been formally crowned at Westminster Abbey. Born Camilla Rosemary Shand on July 17, 1947, it has often been said that King Charles’s wife never expected to become queen. Once tabloid fodder and a source of scandal, their relationship went on to become accepted not only in the eyes of the Royal Family, but the country. The couple were wed in 2005 and have since gone from strength to strength, with Camilla becoming a trusted member of the royal fold. As King Charles and Queen Camilla celebrate their Coronation, take a look back at her life in the royal spotlight.
May 6, 2023
Queen Camilla and King Charles in The Coronation Procession as they return along the Mall to Buckingham Palace
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May 6, 2023
Camilla is crowned as Queen at Westminster Abbey
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September 14, 2022
King Charles III and Camilla, then Queen Consort, attend Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.
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September 9, 2022
After the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Camilla becomes the Queen Consort.
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June 2022
As England celebrates the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Camilla (then Duchess of of Cornwall) appears on the balcony of Buckingham palace alongside Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, Prince William, the then Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
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June 13, 2022
Queen Elizabeth II appoints Camilla a Royal Lady of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.
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March 2020
Prince Charles and Camilla’s planned spring tour gets cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak.
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March 2019
Their Royal Highnesses make history by becoming the first members of the Royal Family to visit Cuba in an official capacity
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May 9, 2018
Camilla and Charles attend the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle at St George’s Chapel.
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June 9, 2016
The Queen appoints the Duchess as a member of the British Privy Council.
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April 23, 2014
Camilla’s brother, Mark Shand, dies unexpectedly after falling and hitting his head in New York
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November 2012
Prince Charles and Camilla arrive in Papua New Guniea on the first leg of a Diamond Jubilee Tour taking in Papua New Guinea, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Photo: Getty
June 3, 2012
Camilla and Charles take part in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant as thousands of people attend despite poor weather conditions.
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April 29, 2011
Prince William marries Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey.
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June 11, 2006
Camilla’s father Major Bruce Shand dies aged 89.
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May 6, 2006
Laura Parker Bowles (Camilla’s daughter) marries Harry Lopes at St Cyriac’s Church in Lacock.
Photo: Getty
June 11, 2005
The Duchess of Cornwall attends Trooping the Color for the first time in her role as wife of the heir to the throne and makes her first appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
Photo: Getty
April 2005
Camilla and her husband Prince Charles honeymoon in Scotland.
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9 April, 2005
Camilla becomes the Duchess of Cornwall as she marries Prince Charles at Guildhall in Windsor.
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February 10, 2005
Camilla and Charles announce their engagement.
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2003
Camilla moves into Prince Charles’s official home, Clarence House.
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June 3, 2002
Queen Elizabeth II acknowledges Camilla’s relationship with Prince Charles by inviting her to sit in the royal box during her Golden Jubilee concert
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2000
Camilla starts accompanying Charles to official events including The Prince’s Foundation Gala Dinner
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January 29, 1999
Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles make their first public appearance together, attending a 50th birthday party for Camilla’s sister at The Ritz.
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August 28, 1996
Diana, Princess of Wale and Prince Charles formally end their marriage.
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March 3, 1995
Andrew and Camilla Parker Bowles divorce.
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July 14, 1994
Camilla’s mother, Rosalind Shand, dies.
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January 1993
The publishing of Andrew Morton’s book, Diana, Her True Story, results in public controversy around Charles and Camilla’s relationship.
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1986
Rumors emerge around Camilla’s relationship with Charles.
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July 29, 1981
Camilla attends the Charles and Diana’s Royal Wedding.
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1979
Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles are seen together at a polo match.
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1974-1978
Camilla and Andrew welcome two children, Tom and Laura
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July 4, 1973
Camilla Shand and Major Andrew Parker-Bowles pass through the Guard of Honour after their wedding at the Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks.
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1971-1973
Camilla dates Charles for two years
Photo: Getty
Originally published in Tatler.com
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