Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom
| Camilla | |
|---|---|
| |
| Camilla in 2019 | |
and other Commonwealth realms[note 1] | |
| Tenure | 8 September 2022 – present |
| Coronation | 6 May 2023 |
| Born | Camilla Rosemary Shand 17 July 1947 King's College Hospital, London, England |
| Spouses | |
| Issue | |
| House | Windsor (by marriage) |
| Father | Bruce Shand |
| Mother | Rosalind Cubitt |
| Signature | File:Queen Camilla's signature.png |
Queen Camilla (born 17 July 1947) is the wife of King Charles III and Queen consort of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms. She became queen consort on September 8, 2022, when her husband ascended the British throne following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. From 2005 to 2022, she legally held the title Princess of Wales, but she used the secondary title of Duchess of Cornwall during official events representing the British Royal Family.
She was best known in the media as Camilla Parker Bowles from her first marriage to Army officer Andrew Parker Bowles (from 1973 to 2005), with whom they had two children and divorced in 1995. Camilla and Charles were romantically involved periodically, both before and during each of their first marriages. Their relationship was highly publicized in the media and attracted worldwide scrutiny. In 2005, Camilla married Charles in the Windsor Guildhall, which was followed by a televised Anglican blessing at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. From their marriage until Charles's accession, she was known as the Duchess of Cornwall.
On 8 September 2022, Charles became king upon the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, with Camilla as queen consort. Charles and Camilla's coronation took place at Westminster Abbey on 6 May 2023.
Camilla carries out public engagements representing the monarch and is the patron of numerous charities and organizations. Since 1994, she has campaigned to raise awareness of osteoporosis, which has earned her several honors and awards. She has also campaigned to raise awareness of issues such as rape, sexual abuse, illiteracy, animal welfare and poverty.
Early Life and Education
Camilla Rosemary Shand was born on 17 July 1947 at King's College Hospital, London. Her family spilt their time between their country house-18th-century The Laines in Plumpton, East Sussex-and their London house in South Kensington. Her parents were British Army officer-turned-businessman Major Bruce Shand and his wife The Hon. Rosalind Cubitt, daughter of Ronald Cubitt, 3rd Baron Ashcombe. Camilla has a younger sister Annabel Elliott, and had a younger brother, Mark Shand. One of her maternal great-grandmothers, Alice Keppel, was a mistress of King Edward VII. On 1 November 1947, Shand was baptized at St. Peter's Church, Firle, East Sussex.
Rosalind was a charity worker who during the 1960s and 1970s volunteered at the Chailey Heritage Foundation (which helps young children with disabilities) near their Sussex home. Bruce had various business interests after retiring from the army. He was most notably a partner in Block, Grey and Block, a firm of wine merchants in South Audley Street, Mayfair, later joining Ellis, Son and Vidler of Hastings and London.
Title and Styles
- 17 July 1947-4 July 1973: Miss Camilla Shand
- 4 July 1973-9 April 2005: Mrs. Camilla Parker Bowles
- 9 April 2005-8 September 2022: Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall, Her Royal Highness The Countess of Chester
- In Scotland 9 April 2005-8 September 2022: Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Rothesay, Her Royal Highness The Countess of Carrick, Lady of the Isles, Baroness of Renfrew
- 9 April 2021-8 September 2022: Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh, Her Royal Highness The Countess of Merioneth, Baroness Greenwich
- 8 September 2022-6 May 2023: Her Majesty The Queen Consort
- 6 May 2023:-present Her Majesty The Queen of the United Kingdom
Commonwealth Honors
- United Kingdom: Recipient of the Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth II (30 October 2007)
- United Kingdon: Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (9 April 2012)
- Papua New Guinea: Companion of the Order of the Star of Melanesia (3 November 2012)
- United Kingdon: Member of His Majesty's Most Honorable Privy Council (9 June 2016)
- England and Wales: Royal Lady of the Most Noble Order of the Garter (1 January 2022)
- New Zealand: Additional Member of the Order of New Zealand (5 June 2023)
- Scotland: Extra Lady of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle (16 June 2023)
- United Kingdon: Grand Master and First and Principal Dame Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (23 April 2024)
- United Kingdom: Recipient of the Royal Family Order of King Charles III (25 June 2024)
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