Editing Queen Camilla (section)

===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>