the enduring love story of King Charles and his ‘darling wife’ Queen Camilla

Charles and Camilla, 1979Tim Graham//Getty Images

King Charles III and Queen Camilla, formerly Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles, had a complex relationship early on. They first met in the 1970s, and married in 2005 after years of an on-again, off-again relationship.

Their first public outing, 1999Getty Images

Here, the Prince of Wales and Camilla Parker Bowles step out in public together for the first time on 28 January 1999, following the 50th birthday dinner-dance for Camilla’s sister, Annabel Elliott, at the Ritz Hotel in London.

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Date night, 2000Dave Benett//Getty Images

Prince Charles and Camilla leave in the car after watching a performance of Alan Bennett’s The Lady In The Van.

Prince’s Foundation, 2000Gareth Davies//Getty Images

Prince Charles and Camilla attend a reception for The Prince’s Foundation (now The King’s Foundation) in Hoxton, London.

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First kiss in public, 2001Tim Graham//Getty Images

Camilla Parker Bowles, in her official role as patron of the National Osteoporosis Society, welcomes Prince Charles with a kiss to an anniversary event at Somerset House in London.

Sandringham Flower Show, 2002Sion Touhig//Getty Images

Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles arrive together to attend the Sandringham Flower Show. Gradually, Camilla is introduced to the public alongside the Prince during royal appearances.

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Sunday service, 2002Pool/Tim Graham Picture Library//Getty Images

Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles arrives at Canisbay Parish Church near the Castle of Mey in Scotland, to attend Sunday service. Prince Charles wears a traditional tartan kilt with sporran.

Mey Games, 2004Christopher Furlong//Getty Images

The Prince of Wales and Camilla Parker Bowles enjoy a moment together during the 2004 Mey Games in Caithness, Scotland.

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Wedding bells, 2005Anwar Hussein Collection//Getty Images

The Prince of Wales and the newly titled Duchess Of Cornwall pose in the White Drawing Room for their official wedding photo, following their marriage at Windsor Guildhall on 9 April 2005.

Family line-up, 2005Anwar Hussein Collection//Getty Images

The newly married couple are joined by their children on their wedding day. Prince Harry and Prince William stand next to their father on the left, while Laura and Tom Parker Bowles stand beside their mother on the right, as part of their official wedding photographs.

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Polo match, 2005Max Mumby/Indigo//Getty Images

Prince Charles kisses his wife as she presents him with his prize at the Burberry Cup polo match at Cirencester Park Polo Club.

Windswept laughs, 2007Max Mumby/Indigo//Getty Images

Prince Charles looks on happily as Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, plays bowls during a visit to the Wiltshire village of Bromham on her 60th birthday.

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Canada, 2009Chris Jackson//Getty Images

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall pose for a photograph during a visit to Canada. While the Prince of Wales had visited many times previously, it is the Duchess’ first official visit to the country where she has ancestral links.

Pulling a pint, 2011Max Mumby/Indigo//Getty Images

The Prince of Wales pulls a pint of Newton’s Drop beer alongside Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, during a visit to the Cholmeley Arms pub in a Lincolnshire village.

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Tanzanian safari, 2011Chris Jackson//Getty Images

While on a Royal tour highlighting environmental and social issues, Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, take time to enjoy the beauty of the land in Arusha National Park, Tanzania.

Royal Christmas card, 2013Stephen Lock / i-Images//Getty Images

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall view horses in the parade ring from the Royal Box at Royal Ascot racecourse. This image was used on their official Christmas card.

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Comic timing, 2015Daniel Kalisz//Getty Images

In this perfectly timed photo, Prince Charles looks on in mock horror as Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, holds a knife during a visit to Seppeltsfield Winery in the Barossa Valley, Australia.

Three generations, 2016WPA Pool//Getty Images

During an evening reception at Buckingham Palace, Prince Charles and Camilla join Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, and Charles’ son and daughter-in-law, Prince William and the then Duchess of Cambridge.

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RAF Centenary, 2018Max Mumby/Indigo//Getty Images

Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, look lovingly at each other during a flypast to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force.

Family fun, 2020RICHARD POHLE//Getty Images

Sharing a laugh together, Prince William and Kate join Prince Charles and Camilla for a visit to the Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre in Loughborough.

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