On July 17, 1947, Camilla Parker Bowles was born in London, England. She became Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall after marrying Charles, Prince of Wales in 2005. As a result of her ongoing relationship with Prince Charles while they were both married, Camilla has long been a controversial figure to many. However, Camilla has managed to gain more public acceptance, as of late.
The Duchess of Cornwall grew up on large country estate with her parents and two younger siblings. A successful wine merchant, her father was also the Vice Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex. As a result, the Duchess traveled in Britain’s elite royal circles – she attended the high-end Queens Gate School in South Kensington and then went to finishing schools in France and Switzerland.
Camilla first met Charles, Prince of Wales on a polo field at Windsor Great Park in 1972, and so began their highly controversial 25-year-long illicit relationship. Although the couple had a romantic relationship, they ended up marrying other people. In 1973, Camilla married a cavalry officer Andrew Parker Bowles, and in 1981, Prince Charles and Princess Diana had their fairytale wedding. Amidst salacious rumors and tabloid headlines, Prince Charles and Camilla continued their illicit affair over the next decade. By 1995, Camilla divorced her husband and in 1996, Prince Charles and Princess Diana were divorced.
A decade after her divorce, Camilla married Charles on April 9, 2005. For years she was seen as a British Royal interloper to the general public. However, the Duchess of Cornwall has slowly gained more public acceptance. She also has been supportive of various charities and is a champion of the National Osteoporosis Society in the United Kingdom. Today we wish her a happy 71st birthday!