11 intriguing facts about Camilla, Britain’s queen consort: King Charles’ wife is a feminist who loves dogs and runs a book club – but why didn’t she inherit Princess Diana’s royal title?
- King Charles’ wife came from a wealthy family and was married to Andrew Parker Bowles with two kids, Laura Lopes and Tom Parker Bowles, before becoming a royal
- She was supposed to take Princess Diana’s royal Princess of Wales title, but Kate Middleton and Prince William became Prince and Princess of Wales instead
Camilla has seen her fair share of ups and downs over the years, from her role as “the other woman” to Britain’s queen consort. But how much do you really know about King Charles’ wife? Read on for 11 intriguing facts you probably don’t know about …
1. Her parents, Bruce and Rosalind Shand, were wealthy aristocrats
Camilla’s father was a major in the British Army and heir to his father’s barony. Her mother, having been named “debutante of the year” in 1939, worked at an adoption agency and did charity work, per PopSugar. They married in 1946.
In fact, Camilla came from an upper class family with royal connections. Her great-grandmother Alice Keppel was the mistress of Charles’ great-great-grandfather, King Edward VII.
2. She is the oldest of three children
Her sister, Annabel Elliot, is an interior designer. She helped the royal couple redesign their Restormel Manor in Cornwall, per House & Garden.
Her brother Mark Shand, who died of a tragic head injury in 2014, was a travel writer.
3. She was married to Andrew Parker Bowles from 1973 to 1995
