Editing Queen Camilla (section)

==Marriages and children==
===First marriage===
In the late 1960s, Shand met [[Andrew Parker Bowles]], then a Guards officer{{Snd}}a [[Lieutenant (British Army and Royal Marines)|lieutenant]] in the [[Blues and Royals]] – through his younger brother, Simon, who worked for her father's wine firm in Mayfair.{{Sfn|Brandreth|2007|p=175}} After an on-and-off relationship for years, Parker Bowles and Shand's engagement was announced in ''[[The Times]]'' in 1973.{{Sfn|Graham|2005|p=38}} [[Sally Bedell Smith]] claimed that the announcement was sent out by the pair's parents without their knowledge, which forced Parker Bowles to propose.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Hallemann |first=Caroline |date=13 November 2019 |title=Camilla Shand's Wedding to Andrew Parker Bowles Will Feature in The Crown's Third Season |url=https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a29786232/camilla-shand-andrew-parker-bowles-wedding-the-crown |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211216210400/https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a29786232/camilla-shand-andrew-parker-bowles-wedding-the-crown |archive-date=16 December 2021 |access-date=16 December 2021 |magazine=Town & Country}}</ref> They married on 4 July 1973 in a [[Catholic]] ceremony at the [[Guards' Chapel, Wellington Barracks]], in London.{{Sfn|Brandreth|2007|p=186}} Shand was 25 years old and Parker Bowles 33. Her wedding dress was designed by British fashion house [[Bellville Sassoon]],{{Sfn|Brandreth|2007|p=186}} and the bridesmaids included Parker Bowles's goddaughter [[Lady Emma Herbert]].<ref>"Major A.H. Parker Bowles and Miss C.R. Shand", ''[[The Times]]'', 5 July 1973.</ref> It was considered the "society wedding of the year"{{Sfn|Graham|2005|p=39}} with 800 guests.{{Sfn|Brandreth|2007|p=186}} Royal guests present at the ceremony and reception included [[Queen Elizabeth II]]'s daughter, [[Anne, Princess Royal|Anne]]; the Queen's sister, [[Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon|Margaret]]; and [[Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother]].{{Sfn|Graham|2005|p=39}}
[[File:BolehydeManor.jpg|thumb|[[Bolehyde Manor]] in Allington, Wiltshire]]
The couple made their home in [[Wiltshire]], purchasing [[Bolehyde Manor]] in [[Allington, North Wiltshire|Allington]] and later [[Middlewick House]] in [[Corsham]].{{Sfn|Brandreth|2007|p=187}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Armstrong |first=Julie |date=2 June 2013 |title=Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason welcomes Camilla back to her old home ground |work=Gazette and Herald |url=http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/towns/corshamheadlines/10457764.Pink_Floyd_drummer_Nick_Mason_welcomes_Camilla_back_to_her_old_home_ground |url-status=live |access-date=7 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907074450/http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/towns/corshamheadlines/10457764.Pink_Floyd_drummer_Nick_Mason_welcomes_Camilla_back_to_her_old_home_ground |archive-date=7 September 2014}}</ref> They had two children: [[Tom Parker Bowles|Tom]] (born 1974){{Sfn|Graham|2005|p=43}} and [[Laura Lopes|Laura]] (born 1978).{{Sfn|Graham|2005|p=44}} Tom is a godson of King Charles III.{{Sfn|Graham|2005|p=43}} Both children were brought up in their father's Catholic faith, particularly during the lifetime of their paternal grandmother, [[Ann Parker Bowles]]; Camilla remained an Anglican and did not convert to Catholicism.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 June 2008 |title=Duchess of Cornwall grandchild wins Royal baptism |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/2130251/Duchess-of-Cornwall-Camilla-Parker-Bowless-grandchild-wins-Royal-baptism.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=28 November 2018 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/2130251/Duchess-of-Cornwall-Camilla-Parker-Bowless-grandchild-wins-Royal-baptism.html |archive-date=10 January 2022}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Laura attended a Catholic girls' school, but married in an Anglican church; Tom did not attend [[Ampleforth College]] as his father had, but [[Eton College|Eton]]—and was married outside the Catholic Church. Tom, like his father, is [[in remainder]] to the [[Earldom of Macclesfield]].{{Sfn|Brandreth|2007|p=174}}

In December 1994, after 21 years of marriage, the couple issued divorce proceedings on the grounds they had been living separately for years. In July of that year, Camilla's mother, Rosalind, had died from [[osteoporosis]], and her father later described this as a "difficult time for her".{{Sfn|Brandreth|2007|pp=280–81}} Their petition was heard and granted in January 1995 at the High Court Family Division in London.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Junor |title=The Duchess |page=134}}</ref> The divorce was finalised on 3 March 1995.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 March 2005 |title=A Royal Romance Interactive Timeline |work=CBS News |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/elements/2005/03/18/in_depth_world/timeline681722.shtml |access-date=5 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112081235/http://www.cbsnews.com/elements/2005/03/18/in_depth_world/timeline681722.shtml |archive-date=12 November 2013}}</ref> A year later, Andrew married Rosemary Pitman (who died in 2010).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=Tim |date=12 January 2010 |title=Rosemary Parker Bowles dies after battle against cancer |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/6976319/Rosemary-Parker-Bowles-dies-after-battle-against-cancer.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=10 July 2014 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/6976319/Rosemary-Parker-Bowles-dies-after-battle-against-cancer.html |archive-date=10 January 2022}}{{cbignore}}</ref>{{Sfn|Graham|2005|p=284}}

===Relationship with Charles===
Shand reportedly met Prince Charles in mid-1971.{{Sfn|Brandreth|2007|p=181}} Andrew Parker Bowles had ended his relationship with Shand in 1970 and was courting Princess Anne.{{Sfn|Brandreth|2007|p=177}} Though Shand and Charles belonged to the same social circle and occasionally attended the same events, they had not formally met. Gyles Brandreth states that they did not first meet at a [[polo]] match, as has been commonly believed.{{Sfn|Brandreth|2007|p=320}}<ref>Mayer, p. 98</ref> Instead, they first met at the home of their friend Lucía Santa Cruz, who formally introduced them.{{Sfn|Brandreth|2007|p=178}}<ref>{{Cite book |last=Junor |title=The Duchess |page=9}}; Mayer, pp. 97–98</ref> They became close friends and eventually began a romantic relationship, which was well known within their social circle.{{Sfn|Graham|2005|p=29}} As a couple, they regularly met at polo matches at Smith's Lawn in [[Windsor Great Park]], where Charles often played polo.{{Sfn|Brandreth|2007|pp=178,181}} They also became part of a set at [[Annabel's]] in [[Berkeley Square]].{{Sfn|Brandreth|2007|p=181}} As the relationship grew more serious, Charles met Shand's family in Plumpton, and he introduced her to some members of his family.{{Sfn|Graham|2005|pp=32–33}} The relationship was put on hold after Charles travelled overseas to join the [[Royal Navy]] in early 1973, and ended abruptly afterward.{{Sfn|Graham|2005|p=9}}{{Sfn|Brandreth|2007|pp=182–85}}

There have been different explanations for why the relationship ended. [[Robert Lacey]] wrote in his 2008 book ''Royal: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II'' that Charles met Shand too early, and he had not asked her to wait for him when he went overseas for military duties.<ref>Lacey, p. 268</ref> [[Sarah Bradford]] wrote in her 2007 book ''Diana'' that a member of the close circle of his great-uncle [[Lord Mountbatten]] claimed Mountbatten arranged for Charles to be taken overseas to end the relationship with Shand, to make way for an engagement between Charles and his granddaughter [[Amanda Knatchbull]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bradford |first=Sarah |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YUWj6uKYHM4C&q=with+Camilla%2C+and+to+pave+a+way+for+a+possible+engagement+to+his+granddaughter%2C+Amanda+Knatchbull&pg=PT37 |title=Diana |publisher=Penguin (Non-Classics) |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-14-311246-4 |at=Footnote 10 |access-date=6 January 2016}}</ref> Some sources suggest Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother did not approve of Shand because she wanted Charles to marry one of the [[Spencer family]] granddaughters of her close friend [[Ruth Roche, Baroness Fermoy|Lady Fermoy]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Erickson |first=Carolly |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZOeFJymoZQ4C&q=queen+mum+wanted+a+spencer+in+the+family&pg=PA350 |title=Lilibet: An Intimate Portrait of Elizabeth II |publisher=St Martin's Griffin |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-312-33938-8 |page=350 |author-link=Carolly Erickson |access-date=6 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220206223711/https://books.google.com/books?id=ZOeFJymoZQ4C&q=queen+mum+wanted+a+spencer+in+the+family&pg=PA350 |archive-date=6 February 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> Other sources suggest Shand did not want to marry Charles but instead Andrew Parker Bowles, having had an on-and-off relationship with him since the late 1960s{{Sfn|Brandreth|2007|p=185}}—or that Charles had decided he would not marry until he was 30.{{Sfn|Brandreth|2007|p=196}}

The majority of royal biographers agree that Charles would not have been allowed to marry Shand had he sought permission to do so. According to Charles's cousin and godmother [[Patricia Knatchbull, 2nd Countess Mountbatten of Burma]], some palace courtiers at that time deemed Shand unsuitable as a prospective consort. In 2005, she stated, "With hindsight, you can say that Charles should have married Camilla when he first had the chance. They were ideally suited, we know that now. But it wasn't possible."[...]{{Sfn|Brandreth|2007|p=162}} "it wouldn't have been possible, not then."{{Sfn|Brandreth|2007|p=183}} Nevertheless, they remained friends.{{Sfn|Brandreth|2007|p=206}}{{Sfn|Graham|2005|p=42}} In August 1979, [[Lord Mountbatten was assassinated]] by the [[Provisional Irish Republican Army]]. Charles was grief-stricken by his death, and reportedly relied heavily on Camilla Parker Bowles for solace. During this period, rumours began circulating, among close friends of the Parker Bowleses and in polo-playing communities, that Camilla and Charles had rekindled their intimate relationship.{{Sfn|Graham|2005|pp=47–48}} A source close to Parker Bowles confirmed that by 1980 they had indeed rekindled as lovers.{{Sfn|Graham|2005|p=48}} There are also claims by royal staff that it occurred earlier.{{Sfn|Brandreth|2007|pp=207–08}} Parker Bowles's husband, Andrew, reportedly approved of the affair,<ref>Kelley, p. 465</ref> while he had numerous lovers throughout their marriage.<ref>Junor, ''Charles'', p. 48; {{Cite book |last=Junor |title=The Duchess |pages=68}}</ref> Nevertheless, Charles soon began a relationship with [[Lady Diana Spencer]], whom he married in 1981.{{Sfn|Brandreth|2007|p=235}}

The affair became public knowledge in the press a decade later, with the publication of ''[[Diana: Her True Story (book)|Diana: Her True Story]]'' in 1992,{{Sfn|Brandreth|2007|p=269–270}} followed by the "[[Tampongate]]" (also known as "Camillagate") tape scandal in 1993,{{Sfn|Brandreth|2007|p=257}}<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/6226657/crown-charles-camilla-tampongate/|title=The True Story Behind Charles and Camilla's Phone Sex Leak on The Crown|magazine=Time|first=Eliana|last=Dockterman|date=9 November 2022|accessdate=17 November 2022|archive-date=16 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116194130/https://time.com/6226657/crown-charles-camilla-tampongate/|url-status=live}}</ref> when an intimate telephone conversation between Parker Bowles and Charles was secretly recorded, and the transcripts were published in the [[tabloid press]].{{Sfn|Brandreth|2007|p=258–264}}<ref>[http://www.textfiles.com/phreak/camilla.txt "The Camillagate Tapes"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100701002359/http://www.textfiles.com/phreak/camilla.txt |date=1 July 2010 }}, 18 December 1989, phone transcript, Phone Phreaking</ref> The book and tape immediately damaged Charles's public image,{{Sfn|Brandreth|2007|p=275}} and the media vilified Parker Bowles.{{Sfn|Brandreth|2007|pp=274–276}} In 1994, Charles finally spoke about his relationship with Parker Bowles in ''[[Charles: The Private Man, the Public Role]]'' with [[Jonathan Dimbleby]]. He told Dimbleby in the interview, "Mrs. Parker Bowles is a great friend of mine... a friend for a very long time. She will continue to be a friend for a very long time."{{Sfn|Brandreth|2007|p=280}} He later admitted in the interview that their relationship was rekindled after his marriage had "irretrievably broken down" in 1986.<ref>Dimbleby, p. 395; {{Cite book |last=Junor |title=The Duchess |pages=125}}</ref>

==== Image rehabilitation ====
Following both of their divorces, Charles declared his relationship with Parker Bowles was "non-negotiable".<ref>{{Cite web |last=McLaren |first=Leah |date=11 May 2002 |title=An honest woman at last? |url=http://mattoid.com/data/People/Camilla_an_honest_woman_at_last.htm |work=The Globe and Mail |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623180803/http://mattoid.com/data/People/Camilla_an_honest_woman_at_last.htm |archive-date=23 June 2012 |access-date=6 March 2012}}; {{Cite magazine |last=McAllister |first=J.F.O. |date=13 February 2005 |title=The 34-Year Courtship |magazine=Time |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1027460,00.html |url-status=dead |access-date=18 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930075941/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1027460,00.html |archive-date=30 September 2007}}</ref> Charles was aware that the relationship was receiving a lot of negative publicity, and appointed [[Mark Bolland]]—whom he had employed in 1995 to refurbish his own image{{nsmdns}}to enhance Parker Bowles's public profile.<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 March 2005 |title=Mark Bolland: Marital aide |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/mark-bolland-marital-aide-6149523.html |url-status=dead |access-date=9 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511110051/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/mark-bolland-marital-aide-6149523.html |archive-date=11 May 2015}}</ref> In July 1997, she was involved in a head-on car accident while driving to [[Highgrove House]], though neither she nor the other driver sustained any major injuries.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/parker-bowles-to-escape-prosecution-over-car-crash-1250138.html|title=Parker Bowles to escape prosecution over car crash|work=The Independent|date=11 July 1997|access-date=20 July 2024}}</ref> Parker Bowles occasionally became Charles's unofficial companion at events. In 1999, they made their first public appearance together at the [[Ritz London Hotel]], where they attended a birthday party for her sister; about 200 photographers and reporters from around the world were there to witness them together.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 January 1999 |title=Charles and Camilla go public |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/264574.stm |url-status=live |access-date=5 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505171500/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/264574.stm |archive-date=5 May 2014}}</ref> In 2000, she accompanied Charles to Scotland for a number of official engagements, and in 2001, she became president of the [[Royal Osteoporosis Society]] (ROS), which introduced her to the public.<ref name="Tweedie">{{Cite news |last=Tweedie |first=Neil |date=11 February 2005 |title=Charles and Camilla, after Diana |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1483284/Charles-and-Camilla-after-Diana.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=16 May 2012 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1483284/Charles-and-Camilla-after-Diana.html |archive-date=10 January 2022}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Parker Bowles later met Queen Elizabeth II, for the first time since Parker Bowles and Charles's relationship was made public, at the 60th birthday party of the former Greek king [[Constantine II of Greece|Constantine II]] in 2000. This meeting was seen as an apparent seal of approval by the Queen on her son's relationship with Parker Bowles.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 June 2000 |title=Queen meets Camilla as relationship thaws |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Queen+meets+Camilla+as+relationship+thaws.-a062488697 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110224832/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Queen+meets+Camilla+as+relationship+thaws.-a062488697 |archive-date=10 November 2013 |access-date=28 March 2012 |via=The Free Library |work=Sunday Mercury (Birmingham, England)}}</ref>{{Sfn|Brandreth|2007|p=295}} After a series of appearances at public and private venues, the Queen invited Parker Bowles to her [[Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II|Golden Jubilee]] celebrations in 2002. She sat in the [[royal box]] behind the Queen for one of the concerts at Buckingham Palace.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 May 2002 |title=Prince pleased with Queen's Camilla invite |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Prince+pleased+with+Queen's+Camilla+invite.-a085872235 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305045219/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Prince+pleased+with+Queen%27s+Camilla+invite.-a085872235 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |access-date=7 May 2012 |work=The Birmingham Post |via=The Free Library}}; {{Cite news |last=Summerskill |first=Ben |author-link=Ben Summerskill |date=13 July 2002 |title=The Observer Profile: Camilla Parker Bowles |work=The Observer |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/jul/14/monarchy.comment |url-status=live |access-date=26 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231004534/http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/jul/14/monarchy.comment |archive-date=31 December 2013}}</ref> Charles reportedly paid privately for two full-time security staff for her protection.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bates |first=Stephen |date=10 May 2002 |title=Charles pays for extra Camilla security guards |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/may/11/monarchy.stephenbates |access-date=7 July 2022 |work=The Guardian |archive-date=8 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220708025759/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/may/11/monarchy.stephenbates |url-status=live }}</ref> Although Parker Bowles maintained her residence, [[Ray Mill House]], which she purchased in 1995, near [[Lacock]] in Wiltshire,{{Sfn|Brandreth|2007|p=284}} she then moved into [[Clarence House]], Charles's household and official residence since 2003.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 August 2003 |title= Prince Charles moves into Clarence House |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3119473.stm |access-date= 17 June 2024 |work=The BBC}}</ref>{{Sfn|Brandreth|2007|p=296–297}} In 2004, she accompanied Charles on almost all of his official events, including a high-profile visit together to the annual [[highland games]] in Scotland.<ref>{{Cite news |title=In Pictures: Charles and Camilla |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/gall/0,8542,1409821,00.html |url-status=live |access-date=5 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007050456/http://www.theguardian.com/gall/0,8542,1409821,00.html |archive-date=7 October 2013}}</ref> The media speculated on when they would announce their engagement, and as time went by, polls conducted in the United Kingdom showed overall support for the marriage.{{Sfn|Brandreth|2007|pp=8–15}}

Despite this image rehabilitation, Parker Bowles received backlash from supporters of Diana who wrote to national newspapers to air their views, especially after Parker Bowles and Charles's wedding plans were announced.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Honigsbaum |first=Mark |date=7 March 2005 |title=Meet the Diana Circle: the band of fans trying to stop the royal wedding |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/mar/07/monarchy.markhonigsbaum |access-date=5 October 2022 |authorlink=Mark Honigsbaum |archive-date=28 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928055314/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/mar/07/monarchy.markhonigsbaum |url-status=live }}</ref> This sentiment was later parodied by [[internet troll]]s on Facebook and [[TikTok]] through fake [[fanpage]]s and accounts dedicated to Diana.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cohen |first=Danielle |date=13 July 2022 |title=What on Earth Is Going On in This Princess Diana Facebook Group? |work=The Cut |url=https://www.thecut.com/2022/07/what-is-going-on-in-this-princess-diana-facebook-group.html |access-date=22 September 2022 |archive-date=22 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922220025/https://www.thecut.com/2022/07/what-is-going-on-in-this-princess-diana-facebook-group.html |url-status=live }}; {{Cite news |last=Das |first=Shanti |date=17 September 2022 |title=Trial by TikTok: Camilla and Meghan targeted with abuse after Queen's death |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/sep/17/trial-by-tiktok-camilla-and-meghan-targeted-with-abuse-after-queens-death |access-date=22 September 2022 |archive-date=22 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922005742/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/sep/17/trial-by-tiktok-camilla-and-meghan-targeted-with-abuse-after-queens-death |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2023, ''[[The Independent]]'' named Camilla the most influential woman of 2023 in its "Influence List" and her name appeared on the list again in 2024 and 2025.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/long_reads/women/independent-women-influence-list-2023-b2295691.html|title=Independent Women 2023 – The Influence List|work=The Independent|date=8 March 2023|accessdate=8 March 2023|archive-date=8 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308062059/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/long_reads/women/independent-women-influence-list-2023-b2295691.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/long_reads/women/international-womens-day-2024-influence-list-b2500534.html|title=Independent Women 2024 – The Influence List|work=The Independent|date=7 March 2024|access-date=8 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240307220942/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/long_reads/women/international-womens-day-2024-influence-list-b2500534.html|archive-date=7 March 2024|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/international-womens-day-independent-influence-list-b2706045.html |title=Independent Women 2025 – The Influence List|work=The Independent|date=7 March 2025|access-date=7 March 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250308051338/https://www.the-independent.com/news/uk/international-womens-day-independent-influence-list-b2706045.html|archive-date=8 March 2025|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Second marriage===
{{further|Wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles|Wedding dress of Camilla Parker Bowles}}
On 10 February 2005, Clarence House publicised the engagement of Camilla Parker Bowles and the Prince of Wales. As an engagement ring, Charles gave Parker Bowles a diamond ring believed to have been given to his grandmother when she gave birth to Charles's mother.{{Sfn|Graham|2005|p=7}} The ring comprised a square-cut diamond with three diamond [[Baguette cut|baguettes]] on each side.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Crown jewels: The fabulous rings which sealed the love of Europe's royal couples |url=http://ca.hellomagazine.com/brides/gallery/200908211884/royal-brides/engagement-ring/princess-wed/8 |url-status=live |magazine=Hello! |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127090148/http://ca.hellomagazine.com/brides/gallery/200908211884/royal-brides/engagement-ring/princess-wed/8 |archive-date=27 November 2015 |access-date=6 January 2016}}</ref> As the future [[supreme governor of the Church of England]], the prospect of Charles marrying a divorcée was seen as controversial, but with the consent of the Queen,<ref name="House of Commons statement">{{Cite news |date=17 March 2005 |title=Royal Marriage |work=Parliament of the United Kingdom |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200405/cmhansrd/vo050317/text/50317w32.htm#50317w32.html_sbhd1 |url-status=live |access-date=19 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402173142/http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200405/cmhansrd/vo050317/text/50317w32.htm#50317w32.html_sbhd1 |archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref> the government,<ref name="House of Lords statement">{{Cite news |date=24 February 2005 |title=Royal Marriage |work=Parliament of the United Kingdom |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200405/ldhansrd/vo050224/text/50224-51.htm#50224-51_head0 |url-status=live |access-date=17 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402152718/http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200405/ldhansrd/vo050224/text/50224-51.htm#50224-51_head0 |archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref> and the Church of England, the couple were able to wed. The Queen and [[Tony Blair]], along with Archbishop of Canterbury [[Rowan Williams]], offered their best wishes in statements to the media.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 February 2005 |title=Prince Charles to marry longtime lover Camilla |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna6945019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131225102912/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/6945019 |archive-date=25 December 2013 |access-date=6 March 2012 |work=NBC News}}</ref> In the two months following the announcement of their engagement, Clarence House received 25,000 letters with "95 or 99 per cent being supportive"; 908 [[hate mail]] letters were also received, with the more threatening and personal ones sent to the police for investigation.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 April 2005 |title=Camilla hate mail is passed on to police |url=https://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/7249816.camilla-hate-mail-is-passed-on-to-police |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211216214228/https://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/7249816.camilla-hate-mail-is-passed-on-to-police |archive-date=16 December 2021 |access-date=16 December 2021 |work=Gazette and Herald}}</ref>

The marriage was to have been on 8 April 2005, in a [[civil ceremony]] at [[Windsor Castle]], with a subsequent religious service of blessing<ref>{{Cite web |title=Prayer and Dedication after a Civil Marriage |url=https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-worship/worship/texts/pastoral/marriage/civilmarriage.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110423155547/https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-worship/worship/texts/pastoral/marriage/civilmarriage.aspx |archive-date=23 April 2011 |access-date=6 October 2017 |work=The Church of England}}</ref> at [[St George's Chapel]]. However, to conduct a civil marriage at Windsor Castle would oblige the venue to obtain a licence for civil marriages, which it did not have. A condition of such a licence is that the licensed venue must be available for a period of one year to anyone wishing to be married there, and as the royal family did not wish to make Windsor Castle available to the public for civil marriages, the venue was changed to the town hall at [[Windsor Guildhall]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 February 2005 |title=Prince Charles, Camilla change wedding plans |work=Chicago Tribune |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2005/02/18/prince-charles-camilla-change-wedding-plans/ |url-status=live |access-date=3 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120624211134/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2005-02-18/news/0502190039_1_charles-and-camilla-windsor-castle-charles-clarence-house |archive-date=24 June 2012}}</ref> On 4 April, the marriage was delayed by one day to allow the Prince of Wales and some of the invited dignitaries to attend the [[funeral of Pope John Paul II]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dear |first=Paula |date=5 April 2005 |title=Fans 'panic buy' 8 April mementos |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4412347.stm |url-status=live |access-date=27 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070825090817/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4412347.stm |archive-date=25 August 2007}}; {{Cite news |date=4 April 2005 |title=Prince Charles Postpones Wedding to Attend Funeral |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/04/international/europe/04cnd-wedding.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=16 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220206223712/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/04/international/europe/prince-charles-postpones-wedding-to-attend-funeral.html |archive-date=6 February 2022}}</ref>

On 9 April 2005, the marriage ceremony was held. The parents of Charles and Camilla did not attend;<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 February 2005 |title=Q&A: Queen's wedding decision |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4289417.stm |url-status=live |access-date=27 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090111223817/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4289417.stm |archive-date=11 January 2009}}</ref> instead, Camilla's son Tom and Charles's son [[Prince William]] acted as witnesses to the union.<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 March 2005 |title=Wedding role for William and Tom |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4375143.stm |url-status=live |access-date=1 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614044443/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4375143.stm |archive-date=14 June 2012}}</ref> The Queen and the [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh|Duke of Edinburgh]] did attend the service of blessing. Afterwards, the Queen held a reception for the newlyweds at Windsor Castle.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Crean |first=Ellen |date=9 April 2005 |title=CBS News "Charles and Camilla Finally Wed" |work=CBS News |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/04/09/world/main686994.shtml |url-status=dead |access-date=27 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101112201734/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/04/09/world/main686994.shtml |archive-date=12 November 2010}}</ref> Performers included the [[Choir of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle|St George's Chapel Choir]], the [[Philharmonia Orchestra]], and Welsh composer [[Alun Hoddinott]].{{Sfn|Brandreth|2007|p=334}} As a wedding gift, The Marinsky Theatre Trust in [[St. Petersburg]] brought a Belarusian [[mezzo-soprano]] singer, [[Ekaterina Semenchuk]], to the United Kingdom to perform a special song for the couple.{{Sfn|Brandreth|2007|p=333}} Following the wedding, the couple travelled to Charles's country home in Scotland, [[Birkhall]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 April 2005 |title=Royal newlyweds begin honeymoon |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4428737.stm |url-status=live |access-date=3 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131116093147/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4428737.stm |archive-date=16 November 2013}}</ref> and carried out their first public duties together during their honeymoon.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 April 2005 |title=Royal newlyweds break off honeymoon to meet pupils |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Royal+newlyweds+break+off+honeymoon+to+meet+pupils.-a0131487956 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811182116/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Royal+newlyweds+break+off+honeymoon+to+meet+pupils.-a0131487956 |archive-date=11 August 2016 |access-date=3 May 2012 |work=The Birmingham Post |via=The Free Library}}</ref>