ComScore

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Camilla Parker Bowles

Netflix's The Crown may have given Camilla Parker Bowles a bad rap, but there's more to the queen consort than her highly-publicized love life.

Born to British Army officer Bruce Shand and Rosalind Cubitt, the former duchess (or shall we say Milla) was raised in East Sussex and South Kensington. She attended Queen's Gate School before going to the Mon Fertile finishing school at 16, quickly gaining a reputation for her bold and outspoken personality. The queen consort went on to study French and French literature at the University of London Institute in Paris, then worked as a secretary for several firms. Meanwhile, the royal also developed a passion for hobbies like horseback-riding and painting.

During the 1960s, Bowles met and started dating former British Army officer Andrew Parker Bowles. After years of an on-and-off relationship, they got married in July 1973. Together, they welcomed two children: Thomas (born December 1974) and Laura (born January 1978), but the couple divorced in 1994.

Fast-forward to 2005 and Bowles had moved on to future king Prince Charles—but it turns out the two had history long before that. It's commonly believed that they first crossed paths at a polo match in 1970, but according to their biographer, Gyles Brandreth, they actually met through a common friend named Lucía Santa Cruz. After developing a close friendship, they started dating until Charles went off to sea to join the Royal Navy.

Like Bowles, King Charles III wound up marrying someone else (Princess Diana), but the pair eventually rekindled their romance, officially tying the knot in April 2005.

Like her husband, Bowles is the patron of countless charities and organizations, including the British Equestrian Federation, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and The Girls' Friendly Society. She's also an avid reader who continues to advocate for literacy, whether it be by visiting schools, donating books or spearheading the Royal Reading Room initiative.

Keep reading to see what the royal has been up to.

news
/ Greta Heggeness
Brenda Song Shares Sweet Details About Relationship with Macaulay Culkin (Including How They Met)
news
/ Danielle Long
Wait, What? Gabby Windey Hasn’t Been Paid for Winning 'The Traitors' Yet
news
/ Nakeisha Campbell
Body Language Expert Weighs in on Duchess Sophie & Prince Edward's Relationship
news
/ Clara Stein
Meghan Markle Just Posted a Striking New Pic to Instagram—And I Noticed Something Familiar
news
/ Danielle Long
Prince William’s Latest Gesture Proves He’s Taking Cues from Kate Middleton
news
/ Greta Heggeness
Rihanna Posts Intimate Delivery Room Pics with Her Kids in Honor of International Women’s Day
news
/ Greta Heggeness
Sarah Ferguson Marks World Book Day with Heartwarming Pics on IG
news
/ Greta Heggeness
Princess Madeleine of Sweden Debuts Rare Photo of Princess Adrienne (Who Looks *So* Grown Up)
news
/ Stephanie Meraz
PSA: The Famous Stanley Quencher Is on*Rare* Sale in the Cutest Colors Right Now
news
/ Greta Heggeness
Duchess Sophie Nails the Rule of Thirds at Recent NYC Outing
news
/ Greta Heggeness
Meghan Markle Reveals the Cozy Family Tradition That She’s Borrowing from the Brits
news
/ Greta Heggeness
The Royal Family Released a Striking New Photo of Princess Anne, and I Noticed a Hidden Message in Her Jewelry
news
/ Nakeisha Campbell
I Observed Princess Anne's Body Language at a Recent Event & Nearly Missed This Detail
news
/ Danielle Long
Selena Gomez Surprises Her ‘Only Murders in the Building’ Co-Stars—And Their Reactions Are Priceless
news
/ Greta Heggeness
Royal News Roundup: A Pregnancy Announcement, Meghan Markle’s New Podcast & More
news
/ Danielle Long
Chrissy Teigen Reveals Her Late-Night Snack—And Fans Are Living for It
See More