King Charles III & Queen Camilla Celebrate 19th Wedding Anniversary Amid Charles’ Cancer Diagnosis

Apr 09, 2024

April 9 is a notable date for the royal family; interestingly, it has both happy and sad meanings. In 2005, King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort, married that 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 Diana’s tragic death 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.

Sadly, as they celebrate 19 years of marriage, the couple was struck with another tragedy – Charles was diagnosed with cancer. 

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, Charles and Camilla's marriages ended in divorce in the mid-'90s, setting 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 it would be best to wait until his sons were adults before marrying Camilla.

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 stable, as they've embarked on royal trips together and 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 addressed questions about Camilla's status and title as a future queen. The statement, released on Feb. 10, 2005, announced their marriage and immediately mentioned that Camilla would use the title "HRH The Duchess of Cornwall." 

Harper's Bazaar noted that Camilla actually had the opportunity to become 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, who 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 wore 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 that the coronation will mark another title change for Camilla. A royal source told the publication that "Queen Consort" was used to distinguish 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."

Early 2024 saw King Charles III facing some serious health issues. Buckingham Palace first announced on Jan. 17, 2024, that the monarch was scheduled to undergo treatment the following week in the hospital for an enlarged prostate. The next day, his wife, Queen Camilla, revealed Charles was feeling “fine” and “looking forward to getting back to work.” 

On Jan. 26, 2024, Charles was admitted to the London Clinic, where he underwent the treatment. He stayed for three nights before being discharged. However, the Palace announced that all his prior engagements would be postponed to allow him sufficient time to rest and recuperate. In the following days, Camilla again stated that Charles had been “doing his best” since the treatment before the pair made their first public appearance together on Feb. 4, 2024, at Sandringham Church. 

Charles gave the crowd a reassuring wave, raising the people’s spirits. However, the consolation would be short-lived as Buckingham Palace released devastating news the next day.

It revealed that, during Charles’ prostate treatment, “diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer,” while stressing it was not prostate cancer. It said the king had “commenced a schedule of regular treatments” while his public-facing duties were postponed on the advice of his doctors. However, the 75-year-old monarch would “continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual,” it added.

But even as the Palace stated Charles remained “wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible,” speculation about who could stand in for the King should he be unable to fulfill his duties had already begun. It was widely reported that Charles could choose deputies from a possible total of seven royals should his ill health force him to.

Under a constitutional mechanism, should the King be unable to carry out his official duties as sovereign on “a temporary basis due to illness or absence abroad,” two or more Counsellors of State – comprising the monarch’s spouse and the next four people in the line of succession – can act in His Majesty’s place. 

In Charles’ case, this would then include his wife, Queen Camilla, his sons Prince William and Prince Harry, his brother Prince Andrew, and his niece, Princess Beatrice. However, both Prince Harry – who fled England to settle with his wife, Meghan Markle, in the United States – and Prince Andrew – who was linked to the notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein – are not considered working royals. Speculation has also roped in the next two senior royal family members as potential candidates to act in Charles’ stead. They are his siblings, Princess Royal Anne and Prince Edward. 

While the Counsellors of State can undertake certain duties, such as attending Privy Council meetings, signing routine documents, and receiving the credentials of new ambassadors, they are barred from fulfilling key tasks of the monarch, such as those concerning Commonwealth matters, the dissolving of Parliament (except on the King’s express instruction), the creation of peers or the appointment of a prime minister.

However, even as the speculation continued, Charles remained in good spirits in the early days of his diagnosis. He unexpectedly kept the public in the loop of his health troubles, behavior that seems in keeping with his reputation for being a down-to-earth monarch. This was also evident in the Palace’s statement in which Charles’ reasons for doing so were presented. It read:

“His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer.”

As news of Charles’ health issues surfaced, the public took to social media to support the ailing monarch, offering prayers and words of encouragement. 

“Very encouraging to see the King out of hospital and looking so well,” one user commented on a clip of Charles stepping out at Sandringham Church for the first time after his hospital stay. Another remarked, “Glad to see His Majesty did well. Also deep gratitude for raising prostrate (sic) awareness. Not only for being checked for benign prostate enlargement, but in checking for that, may also find in some men, a tumor of the prostate. Probably will save some lives too.”

Comments also flooded the royal family’s official Instagram account, with many wishing the King well during this difficult time.

“What a wonderful man! Thinking of others during this terrible time for him personally. He is without doubt a monarch we can be proud of. God save the King,” one comment read, while another wished him “a quick return to health and many more happy years on the throne.”

Many wished the “wonderful king and human being” a speedy recovery. They praised him for his “strength and honesty” in being transparent about his health issues, saying this would “make a difference to so many.” 

Another user said, “Get well soon, Your Majesty. The whole country is rooting for you!”

Others also took the opportunity to offer their best wishes to Catherine, the Princess of Wales, who underwent abdominal surgery at the same hospital as the King during his prostate treatment.

One comment read, “Wishing king Charles and Princess Catherine a speedy recovery. God Save The King and Catherine of Wales.” Kensington Palace stated that Catherine’s procedure was “planned” and “successful,” but it would temporarily keep her from her public duties as she recuperated.

Catherine’s disappearance from the public sparked speculations on her real health condition. On Mar. 10, 2024, she broke the silence and posted a video on the official social media pages of The Prince and Princess of Wales uploaded a video on Mar. 23, 2024 in their social media accounts. 

In her message, she confessed that she had been diagnosed with cancer. King Charles has since expressed his proudness of Catherine for boldly opening up about her condition. 

“[The King is] so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did,” a Buckingham Palace spokesperson told Town & Country. The spokesperson added that the King and Queen “will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family throughout this difficult time."

Catherine and King Charles’ diagnosis greatly dent the royal family. With their harrowing conditions, whether Charles and Camilla will opt for a public and grand celebration of their 19th wedding anniversary is unknown. 

On Mar. 22, 2024, Camilla stepped out for her official duties as Queen and went on a Northern Ireland visit. 

She stopped by The Arcadia Deli in Belfast, Ireland, to greet some well-wishers. After receiving handmade cards, one extended their best wishes to the frail monarch. 

Hello! Magazine reported that Camilla thanked them and gave an update on her husband's condition.

“He's doing very well. He was very disappointed he couldn't come,” she said before telling everyone that men are "not being the best patients," and that she “try to keep him in order."

Charles has skipped public-facing appearances since he was diagnosed with cancer. Meanwhile, Camilla continues appearing on the commitments that her husband has now opted out of.

We wish King Charles and Queen Camilla a happy anniversary! We also wish both King Charles and Princess Catherine a speedy recovery. What can you say about the royal couple? Do you know someone whose marriage also lasted 19 years or more? Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends, and other loved ones out there!