From the Duchess of Cornwall to the Queen Consort and now Queen, Camilla Rosemary Shand has lived much of her life in the spotlight.
From her first marriage to Andrew Parker Bowles in 1973 to her second marriage to the heir apparent to the British throne Prince Charles III in 2005, the now 75-year-old has been a polarizing presence in the royal family for decades.
WATCH NOW: Thomas Parker Bowles on the perfect family roast chicken. Article continues after video.
Despite this however, Camilla has managed to keep both of her children – Tom, 48, and Laura, 45 – and five teenage grandchildren – Lola, 16, Elizabeth, 15, Louis and Gus, 14, and Freddy, 13 – out of the public eye.
But all that has now changed with the coronation of King Charles III, her grandchildren taking center stage during the proceedings, signaling the “blended family” of Camilla and Charles.
Given this, we thought we would take a look at the lives so far of the ‘stepfamily set to officially start mingling with the Mountbatten-Windsor’s.
Who is Camilla’s ex-husband, Andrew Parker-Bowles?
Before she was married to the heir apparent of the British throne, Camilla was married to Andrew Parker Bowles for a significant period of time – 22 years in fact – before they divorced in 1995.
Andrew was born in 1939, and spent his life working in the army, earning him the nickname “brigadier.”
He is the eldest of four children, and his parents – Derek Henry and Anna Parker Bowles – were known as close friends of the Queen Mother.
At the tender age of 13, his social standing in royal circles was solidified further when he was chosen to serve as a Page of Honour at Queen Elizabeth II’s 1953 coronation.
As well as this, Andrew often frequented the same social circles as his future wife’s next husband, playing on Prince Charles’ polo team during his youth.
He also dated Princess Anne for a few years, the relationship fizzling out due to Andrew being a Catholic. Despite their romance not working out, the pair are said to be good friends until this day, Andrew being named the godfather of Princess Anne’s daughter Zara Tindall.
After meeting in the late 1960s, Camilla and Andrew were wed in 1973 in a Roman Catholic ceremony.
Following his divorce from Camilla, Andrew went on to marry Rosemary Pitman, enjoying 14 years of marital bliss together before Rosemary passed away from cancer in 2010.
Andrew and Rosemary both attended the 2005 wedding of Charles and Camilla, proving there is no bad blood between the ex-partners.
Who are Camilla’s kids?
Camilla and Andrew share two adult children, Thomas Henry Charles Parker Bowles, 48, and Laura Lopes (nee Parker Bowles), 45 who have been linked to the royals since birth thanks to their parents.
Thomas Henry Charles Parker Bowles
King Charles is in fact the godfather of Thomas who has established himself as a well-known food writer and critic, even appearing on cooking programs such as MasterChef as a judge!
He’s also written several cookbooks, winning the Guild of Food Writers Award in 2010 for his book on English cuisine.
He married Sara Buys in 2005 before divorcing her in 2018. Sara is now referred to as Sara Parker Bowles.
In a recent interview with The Daily Mail, Sara, the former daughter-in-law of Queen Camilla, talks about Her Majesty and what she is like as a grandmother to her children.
Sara praises Queen Camilla for being “very hands-on” with her grandchildren.
“She’s a really good granny, very hands-on and she’s never been anything but nice to me,” Sara told The Daily Mail .
“If Tom and I are arguing, it’s between us. The long-term relationship between her and her grandchildren is what’s important and that’s never changed.”
Laura Lopes
Like her older brother, Laura became highly successful in her career of choice.
After studying art history and marketing at university, Laura went on to co-found London based Eleven Fine Art Gallery where she worked as a director for 10 years.
In 2006, she married Harry Lopes, the grandson of Lord Astor of Hever, a Conservative member of the House of Lords until 2022.
Who are Camilla’s grandkids?
Lola Parker Bowles
The oldest grandchild of Camilla recently celebrated her sweet 16th. She is the daughter of Tom Parker Bowles and his ex-wife Sara Buys.
In a rare public mention by her grandmother, Camilla revealed to Vogue that despite her busy schedule she plays World every day with Lola.
‘’She’ll text me to say, ‘I’ve done it in three,’ and I say, ‘Sorry, I’ve done it in two today.’ It’s very satisfactory when it tells you how brilliant you are!’’
In the same interview, Camilla also added that she was ‘’well versed’’ in teenagers nowadays.
“The girls [Lola and Eliza] are beginning to get into clothes and make-up and, you know, it’s rather frightening when you see them, coming out with pierced ears and a lot of new makeup and funny coloured hair stuff.’’
Eliza Lopes
Born just one year after her cousin Lola, Eliza is the eldest daughter of Laura and Harry Lopes.
If her name (or face) rings a bell you might remember Eliza (who was a toddler at the time) appearing as a bridesmaid in the wedding of her step-uncle Prince William to Kate Middleton in 2011.
And who could forget that sweet moment when the then Prince Charles (her step grand daddy) was seen picking her up to give her a better view of the crowds amassing outside Buckingham Palace?
In an interview with the Daily Mail to celebrate her 75th birthday, Camilla mentioned how much Eliza adored reading.
“I have a granddaughter that’s very into Philip Pullman and she’s been through His Dark Materials so I think I got her La Bell Sauvage and the twin boys [Louis and Gus], one I got Dracula, and the other I put on to Lord of the Rings…so those are the children’s books.’’
Louis and Gus Lopes
The 14-year-old twin brothers to elder sister Eliza, the pair were only two years old at the time of William and Catherine’s royal wedding and did not make an appearance.
However, over the years, Camilla has offered royal fans an insight into her relationship with them, recently telling British Vogue that the duo was “always keeping tabs on her.’’
“It’s nice getting a text,’’ she said.
“We learn from very young people and they learn from us, too. That’s the way it’s always been.’’
Freddy Parker Bowles
The youngest step-grandchild of Prince (or should we say King) now has yet to attend any official royal engagements with his grandmother and step family.
He has however been spotted out and about with his family for personal outings, including to the Abba Voyage concert with his grandmother and all her other blood related grandchildren.
