\n<\/p>\n
Rocky romance. King Charles III<\/strong><\/a> and Queen Consort Camilla<\/strong><\/a> weathered a very public scandal<\/a> before becoming an official royal couple<\/a>.<\/p>\n Charles was under intense scrutiny as his mother Queen Elizabeth II<\/a>\u2019s heir apparent<\/a> when he met Camilla (n\u00e9e Shand) in 1970. The pair dated before the prince served in the Royal Navy. When he returned home, she was engaged to Andrew Parker Bowles<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Camilla went on to marry Parker Bowles in 1973, and they welcomed two children: son Tom<\/strong> in 1974 and daughter Laura<\/strong> in 1978.<\/p>\n As Camilla moved on, Charles followed suit, tying the knot with<\/a> Princess Diana<\/a> in 1981. Their sons, Prince William<\/strong><\/a> and Prince Harry<\/strong><\/a>, arrived in 1982 and 1984, respectively.<\/p>\n Charles and Camilla eventually began seeing each other while still married<\/a> to Diana and Parker Bowles, respectively. After their divorces, they took their relationship public, although it would be years before the romance earned the approval of the royal family.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was horrid. It was a deeply unpleasant time and I wouldn\u2019t want to put my worst enemy through it,\u201d Camilla told the Daily Mail<\/em> in May 2017. \u201cI couldn\u2019t have survived it without my family.\u201d<\/p>\n The pair tied the knot in 2005, and she assumed her role as a working member of the royal family.<\/p>\n Charles and Camilla rarely gush over each other publicly, but they are not without their moments of affection. \u201cYou can imagine it is a real, real challenge,\u201d he told CNN in 2015 of her work as a royal. \u201cBut she\u2019s, I think, been brilliant in the way she\u2019s tackled these things.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite the pressures that come with their places within the institution, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall know how to keep things light. \u201cIt\u2019s always marvelous to have somebody who, you know, you feel understands and wants to encourage,\u201d he explained. \u201cAlthough she certainly pokes fun if I get too serious about things. And all that helps.\u201d<\/p>\n In February 2022, seven months before her death, Queen Elizabeth<\/a> announced that Camilla would earn the title of Queen Consort when Charles ascends the throne.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen, in the fullness of time, my son Charles<\/a> becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me<\/a>,\u201d the monarch shared in a statement at the time. \u201cAnd it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service.\u201d<\/p>\n Upon the queen\u2019s passing <\/a>in September 2022, both Charles and Camilla assumed their new titles.<\/p>\n