Camilla Parker Bowles Facts: Duchess Of Cornwall Celebrates 70th Birthday
Monday marks the 70th birthday of the Duchess of Cornwall Camilla Parker Bowles. A new official portrait showing her and her husband Prince Charles was revealed Sunday to mark the occasion. Birthday celebrations were kicked off last week itself, with Camilla throwing two parties for her staff and family and friends.
She conducted a garden party for her staff and numerous charities Thursday at Clarence House in London. Another, held during the weekend at the royal couple’s Gloucestershire home in Highgrove, was meant for close family and friends.
Her stepsons — Prince Harry and Prince William — attended the party in Highgrove. Her own children with previous husband Andrew Parker Bowles — Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes — were also present during the celebrations along with their father. Andrew and Camilla have remained good friends despite their failed marriage and allegations against Parker about his many affairs during their relationship, BBC News reported.
Read: Will Camilla Be The Next Queen? 20 Years After Diana’s Death, Prince Charles’ Wife Talks Affair
The photograph to mark her 70th birthday was taken in May and shows the royal couple in the morning room of Clarence House in London, according to BBC News. Photographer Mario Testino described the Duchess of Cornwall as a "beautiful person."
Testino is famous for his glamorous shots of the rich and famous. He had first captured the couple in 2006 for their first marriage anniversary, during an assignment for Vogue. The famous photographer, hailing from Peru, told BBC that when he first met Camilla, over 10 years ago, he "discovered a kind and beautiful person with a wonderful sense of humour."
He added: "I'm honoured to document their royal highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall on this very important date."
The Duchess of Cornwall shares her birthday with another famous personality — German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Camilla is also a distant relative of famous singers Celine Dion and Madonna.
Camilla, whose birth name was Camilla Rosemary Shand has a full royal title- Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall, Duchess of Rothesay, Countess of Chester, Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, according to Royal Central.
Camilla is the daughter of Major Bruce Middleton Hope Shand and the Hon Rosalind Maud Shand and was born on July 17, 1947 at King’s College Hospital in London. She has two younger siblings.
Camilla and Prince Charles are distant cousins as Alice Keppel, mistress of King Edward VII, the great-great-grandfather of Prince Charles, is also the great-grandmother of the Duchess of Cornwall. Camilla has always had soft spot for animals and their welfare. Her love for animals has been reflected in many of her charitable visits and patronages, according to ABC.net in Australia.
The royal couple’s affair became public in 1993 after a transcript of a 1989 intimate phone conversation between the two was revealed. In 1994, Prince Charles admitted to adultery in a televised documentary on the lives of the royals. In 1995, Princess Diana was asked about Camilla during an interview: "Do you think Mrs. Parker-Bowles was a factor in the breakdown of your marriage?" She responded saying, "Well, there were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded."
Prince Charles and Princess Diana got a divorce in 1996. With Queen Elizabeth’s approval in February 2005, Charles announced his wedding to Camilla on April 9 at Windsor Castle. Camilla was married to Andrew from 1973 to 1995.
On April 9, 2005, Camilla and Charles got married in a civil ceremony at Guildhall in Windsor Castle, according to CNN.
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