King Charles III & 'Queen Camilla' Celebrate 18th Wedding Anniversary Amid Official Title Change

Apr 09, 2023

April 9 is a notable date for the royal family, and interestingly, it has both happy and sad meanings. In 2005, King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort got married on the day, and have celebrated their anniversary ever since. However, in 2021, tragically, Charles' father, the late Prince Philip, passed away on the same day. 

This means that not only did Charles lose his father two years ago, but the date, very unfortunately, happened to coincide with his wedding anniversary. Undoubtedly, it must be a bittersweet feeling for the current monarch.

When Philip passed away in 2021, Charles and Camilla didn't publicly acknowledge their anniversary at the time, but over one month later, they released a new photo of themselves and gave many thanks to the public for their anniversary well wishes.

There's no denying that the royal couple has had a rocky road to romance. They were believed to have had an affair while Charles was still married to Princess Diana. During the last few years of Diana's life, it was reported that the alleged affair tormented her. There was even an interview from 1995 where she referenced the affair to a young Prince William.

Following the tragic death of Diana in a car accident in 1996, Charles and Camilla slowly revealed their relationship over a number of years. It took both the public and the royal family some time to warm up to Charles' new union, but eventually the couple married and since then, Camilla has been a prominent member of the royal family.

In honor of their 18th wedding anniversary, let's take a look at their relationship timeline and the new title Camilla is set to take on.

Reports on how the couple first met are varied, but it's generally believed to have been in the early 1970s. As per the BBC's report, Charles first saw Camilla Shand in 1970 in Windsor Great Park at a polo match. However, as per People's report: 

"When she met the Prince at a party in 1972, Camilla Shand, then a 25-year-old post-ed living in London, told him sassily, 'My great-grandmother was the mistress of your great-great-grandfather. I feel we have something in common.'"

Whichever version is true between the two, there was certainly a spark. In 1971, Charles returned to duty by joining the Royal Navy, which resulted in the dwindling of the courtship he had started with Camilla. According to People's report, "Although the smitten prince courted her for six months, he failed to propose before returning to sea in February 1973." Charles had allegedly decided that he would not marry before he was 30 years old.

As we know, Camilla went on to marry Andrew Parker Bowles, with whom she had two children, and Charles married Princess Diana, with whom he had Prince William and Prince Harry. 

Then in 1986, as reported by People, Charles and Camilla revived their physical romance after supposedly having an on-and-off connection in the previous years. This happened in spite of both being married and raising their families.

Eventually, both Charles and Camilla's marriages ended in divorce in the mid-'90s, which set the path for their future. The couple began dating in 1998, two years after Diana's untimely passing but Charles didn't want to overwhelm his family with the sudden inclusion of a new spouse, as Prince Harry and Prince William were still minors when their mother passed. Therefore, Charles decided that it would be best to wait until his sons were adults before he married Camilla.

Then, finally, on April 9, 2005, the couple married in a private ceremony, despite having dated in public for six years prior to tying the knot. Since then, their relationship has been a stable one, as they've embarked on royal trips together, as well as many official engagements. Public opinion on Camilla also warmed up over the years and nowadays their relationship is seen in a much better light than it was at the turn of the century. 

However, one notable topic over the years has been Camilla's official royal title. Upon Charles and Camilla's engagement in February 2005, a statement from the palace was released in which questions about Camilla's status and title as future queen were addressed. The statement, released on Feb. 10, 2005, announced their marriage and immediately mentioned that Camilla would be using the title "HRH The Duchess of Cornwall." 

Harper's Bazaar noted that Camilla actually had the opportunity to pick up the title "Princess of Wales," but since the beloved, late Diana was bestowed that title, Camilla avoided it. 

The royal statement also clarified at the time that since Charles was next in line to the throne after Queen Elizabeth II, "It is intended that Mrs. Parker Bowles should use the title HRH The Princess Consort when The Prince of Wales accedes to The Throne." This went against tradition, as the king's wife would usually go by the title "queen consort" 

It was obviously a topic that never left Charles' mind over the years. Daily Mail reported in June 2021 that Charles had wanted to convince his sons to let Camilla have the title "queen consort", but both Harry and William were vehemently against it. 

In the end, it was Charles' mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II that gave him the approval he had been looking for. In February 2022, a mere six months before Elizabeth's death, the Royal Family's Twitter account tweeted an important message from the queen. The message mostly mentioned her gratitude for being the reigning monarch for 70 years and her gratitude for her family. In the message, the queen also wrote:

“And when, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me; and it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service.”

With King Charles III's ascension to the throne upon his mother's death, it was confirmed that Camilla had officially taken on the title of "Queen Consort," just as Charles and Elizabeth wanted. However, it looks as if the royal couple may have changed Camilla's title again.

Ahead of their coronation in May 2023, a new joint portrait of the couple was released on April 5, 2023. Charles was dressed in a blue suit and tie while Camilla donned a matching bright blue dress. On the same day, the official invitation to the coronation was revealed, which featured motifs from British folklore and emblematic flowers of the UK. It read: 

"The Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III & Queen Camilla." 

The BBC explained the coronation will mark another title change for Camilla. A royal source told the publication that "Queen Consort" was used as a way of distinguishing Camilla from Queen Elizabeth in the days following her death, but the coronation marked an "appropriate time" to officially change her title to "Queen Camilla."

Happy 18th anniversary to King Charles III and soon-to-be Queen Camilla! What are your thoughts on their romance over the years? What about her various title changes? Let us know, then pass this on to any royal fans you know!