Queen Camilla

NAME Queen Camilla

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Queen Consort of the United Kingdom, married to King Charles III.

BIRTH Born Camilla Rosemary Shand on July 17, 1947, in King's College Hospital, London, England.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Camilla is the daughter of Major Bruce Shand, a British Army officer turned wine merchant, and Rosalind Cubitt, daughter of the 3rd Baron Ashcombe. She is the eldest of three children, with a sister, Annabel Elliot, and a brother, Mark Shand, who sadly passed away in 2014.

CHILDHOOD Camilla grew up in a well-to-do family, spending her early years in East Sussex and South Kensington. She had a privileged upbringing, surrounded by country estates and the London social scene. Camilla had a fondness for the outdoors and horses from a young age.

EDUCATION She was educated at Dumbrells School in Sussex, Queen's Gate School in South Kensington, and Mon Fertile finishing school in Switzerland. She later briefly attended the Institut Britannique in Paris.

CAREER RECORD Before becoming Queen Consort, Camilla worked as a secretary and for various organizations. She was involved in numerous charitable endeavors, particularly focusing on literacy, animal welfare, and osteoporosis, the latter inspired by her mother’s battle with the disease.

Camilla was crowned alongside Charles on May 6, 2023 at Westminster Abbey, London.

On her coronation day

APPEARANCE Camilla is known for her classic and elegant style, often seen wearing tailored outfits, hats, and pearls. She has blonde hair and a warm, approachable demeanor.

FASHION Her fashion sense is sophisticated and understated, often favoring British designers. She is frequently seen in elegant dresses for royal engagements and public appearances. Camilla is known for her love of hats and coats.

CHARACTER Camilla is often described as warm, down-to-earth, and humorous. She is known for her resilience and ability to handle public scrutiny with grace.

SENSE OF HUMOUR She is known for her good sense of humor and quick wit, often lightening the mood during public engagements and in her personal life.

RELATIONSHIPS Camilla first met Guards officer Andrew Parker Bowles through his younger brother, Simon. After an on-and-off relationship, their engagement was announced in 1973, and they married on July 4, 1973 in a Roman Catholic ceremony at the Guards' Chapel, Wellington Barracks, in London. They had two children, Tom and Laura. 

A divorce was granted in early 1995, after 21 years of marriage, on the grounds they had been living separately for years. 

Camilla had a longstanding relationship with Prince Charles, which eventually led to their marriage on April 9, 2005 in a civil ceremony at the Guildhall in Windsor. It was followed by a Service of Prayer and Dedication at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.

MONEY AND FAME Camilla's marriage to Prince Charles brought significant public attention and scrutiny. As Queen Consort, she has access to considerable royal resources and wealth.

FOOD AND DRINK Camilla enjoys traditional British cuisine and is known to be a good cook.

MUSIC AND ARTS Camilla has an appreciation for the arts, often attending theatre productions, concerts, and supporting various cultural initiatives.

LITERATURE She is an avid reader and is known to be a fan of historical fiction.

Queen Camilla has said that the book she returns to over and over again is Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, she launched The Reading Room on Instagram, which was later relaunched as a charity called ‘The Queen’s Reading Room.’

NATURE Camilla enjoys spending time in the countryside, often engaging in outdoor activities like gardening. She also produces her own honey at her home in Wiltshire, which is sold at Fortnum & Mason to raise money for charity.

PETS She is known to be an animal lover, particularly fond of dogs. Camilla adopted two rescue Jack Russell terriers, Beth and Bluebell, from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Camilla enjoys horse riding, gardening, and outdoor activities. She has also shown interest in other sports, supporting various athletic events. She is also a fan of the BBC program Strictly Come Dancing.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Her public engagements have included support for scientific research and education, particularly in health-related areas such as osteoporosis.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Camilla is a member of the Church of England and participates in various religious ceremonies and functions as part of her royal duties.

Both her children with Andrew Parker Bowles were brought up in their father's Roman Catholic faith,. Camilla remained an Anglican and did not convert to Roman Catholicism.

POLITICS While she does not engage in politics directly, her role as Queen Consort involves significant public and charitable work that often intersects with political issues.

SCANDAL Her relationship with Prince Charles was highly publicized and controversial, particularly during and after his marriage to Princess Diana. Despite the initial scandal, public perception has softened over the years.

MILITARY RECORD Camilla has personal links to military organizations connected to her father, Major Bruce Shand. She supports various military charities and often attends events with veterans and serving soldiers.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Camilla has faced some health issues over the years, including osteoporosis, which she actively works to raise awareness about. She keeps fit by taking ballet classes and leading a balanced lifestyle.

HOMES Camilla resides in various royal residences, including Clarence House in London and Highgrove House in Gloucestershire. She also has a home in Wiltshire.

TRAVEL As Queen Consort, she travels extensively, both domestically and internationally, often accompanying King Charles III on state visits and royal tours. Her first official overseas visit was to the United States in November 2005.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Camilla has been depicted in numerous media forms, including television series like The Crown, documentaries, and extensive coverage in newspapers and magazines.

ACHIEVEMENTS Queen Camilla has successfully navigated her role within the royal family, earning respect and admiration for her charitable work. She has become Patron or President of over 100 charities and has played a significant role in raising awareness about osteoporosis and supporting literacy and animal welfare initiatives. 

She was appointed a Lady of the Garter by Queen Elizabeth II. 

Her 75th birthday edition of Country Life was the best-selling of all time.

Source Anglotopia