The Royal Library / Royal Profiles
Queen Camilla
Explore Camilla’s life, family, charitable interests and role beside King Charles III.
Early Life
Camilla Rosemary Shand was born in London on July 17, 1947, the eldest of three children of Major Bruce Shand and Rosalind Shand. She was educated in Britain, Switzerland and France.
Marriage and Children
Camilla married Andrew Parker Bowles in 1973. They had two children, Tom and Laura, and divorced in 1995.
Marriage to Charles
Charles and Camilla married on April 9, 2005, in a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall, followed by a Service of Prayer and Dedication at St George’s Chapel. After the marriage, she was known as the Duchess of Cornwall.
Building Her Own Royal Role
Camilla developed a charitable portfolio that includes literacy, health, animal welfare, the arts and support for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
Osteoporosis Awareness
Camilla’s mother and grandmother both died after suffering from osteoporosis. Camilla has supported osteoporosis awareness for decades and has served as president of the Royal Osteoporosis Society.
A Queen Who Loves Books
Literacy and reading have become central to Camilla’s public work. Her reading recommendations developed into The Queen’s Reading Room, which became a charity in 2023 and has expanded through literary programming and events.
Becoming Queen
When Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8, 2022, Charles became King and Camilla became Queen Consort. She was crowned alongside Charles at Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023, and is now styled Queen Camilla.
What Does Queen Camilla Do?
Camilla supports the King in his duties, accompanies him on engagements and visits, represents the Royal Family at events, and carries out an independent program of engagements connected with her charitable interests and patronages.