Queen Camilla: The Journey from Commoner to Queen Consort

The Historic Coronation of Queen Camilla

On May 6, 2023, Camilla Parker Bowles was crowned Queen Consort alongside King Charles III at Westminster Abbey in a ceremony watched by millions worldwide. The coronation marked a significant moment in British royal history, as Camilla became the first divorced woman to be crowned as a British queen consort. Her coronation dress, designed by Bruce Oldfield, featured intricate embroidery in gold and silver thread, paying tribute to nature and the environment—causes close to both her and Charles's hearts.

The coronation ceremony itself was steeped in tradition yet modernized for contemporary times. Camilla wore Queen Mary's Crown, which was originally made in 1911 for the coronation of Queen Mary, consort of King George V. The crown was reset for the occasion with the Cullinan III, IV, and V diamonds, removed from Queen Elizabeth II's personal jewelry collection. This choice represented continuity with the past while honoring the late Queen Elizabeth II's legacy. For more details about the coronation ceremony, the official Royal Family website provides comprehensive documentation.

The selection of her coronation attire sparked considerable interest among fashion historians and royal watchers. Bruce Oldfield, who had dressed Princess Diana in the 1980s, created a gown that balanced regal formality with personal touches. The ivory silk crepe dress featured embroidered floral motifs including roses, thistles, daffodils, and shamrocks—representing the four nations of the United Kingdom. According to Vogue's coverage, the dress required over 400 hours of hand embroidery by the Royal School of Needlework.

From Camilla Shand to Queen Consort: A Commoner's Path

Born Camilla Rosemary Shand on July 17, 1947, in London, Camilla came from an upper-middle-class background but was indeed a commoner by royal standards. Her father, Major Bruce Shand, was a British Army officer and wine merchant, while her mother, Rosalind Cubitt, was the daughter of a baron. The Shand family had social connections but no royal titles, making Camilla's eventual rise to Queen Consort a remarkable journey through British society.

Camilla first met Prince Charles in 1970 at a polo match, and their relationship developed quickly. However, Charles's naval career and the expectation that he marry a virgin bride—a requirement of the time—prevented their early union. Camilla married Andrew Parker Bowles in 1973, with whom she had two children: Tom Parker Bowles, born in 1974, and Laura Lopes, born in 1978. The marriage lasted until 1995, when the couple divorced amicably. During these years, Camilla maintained her friendship with Charles, which would later become a subject of intense public scrutiny.

The path to acceptance was long and challenging. Following Princess Diana's death in 1997, public sentiment toward Camilla was notably negative. However, a carefully managed public relations campaign and Camilla's genuine commitment to charitable work gradually shifted public opinion. According to research from the University of Cambridge on royal public perception, approval ratings for Camilla increased from approximately 38% in 2005 to over 55% by 2022. When Charles and Camilla married on April 9, 2005, in a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall, she took the title Duchess of Cornwall, deliberately avoiding the title Princess of Wales out of respect for Diana's memory.

For those interested in understanding the historical context of commoners marrying into royalty, our FAQ page provides detailed information about precedents and protocols. Similarly, our about page explores the evolution of public perception and Camilla's charitable endeavors in greater depth.

Queen Camilla's Tiaras and Royal Jewels

As Queen Consort, Camilla has access to one of the world's most impressive jewelry collections, including historic tiaras that have adorned British royalty for generations. Her most frequently worn piece is the Greville Tiara, also known as the Boucheron Honeycomb Tiara, which originally belonged to Dame Margaret Greville, a society hostess who bequeathed her jewelry collection to Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, in 1942. The tiara features a distinctive honeycomb pattern created with brilliant-cut diamonds set in platinum.

The Delhi Durbar Tiara represents another significant piece in Camilla's rotation. Created in 1911 for Queen Mary to wear at the Delhi Durbar—a ceremony marking the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary as Emperor and Empress of India—this tiara features emeralds and diamonds in an intricate design. Queen Camilla wore this piece to the State Opening of Parliament in 2023, marking a continuation of royal tradition. The Royal Collection Trust, which manages the royal jewelry collection, provides extensive documentation about the provenance and history of these pieces.

Perhaps most notably, Camilla wore the Cubitt-Shand Tiara on her wedding day in 2005. This family heirloom belonged to her maternal grandmother, Sonia Cubitt, and represents a personal connection to her pre-royal life. The tiara's design is simpler than the grand state pieces but holds deep sentimental value. The choice to wear a family piece rather than a royal tiara for her wedding was seen as a gesture of maintaining her identity while joining the royal family.

The Role and Future of Queen Camilla

The question of whether Camilla is Queen or Queen Consort has generated considerable discussion. Technically, she holds the title of Queen Consort, which distinguishes her from a queen regnant—a queen who rules in her own right, like Queen Elizabeth II. However, in common usage and official communications, she is referred to simply as "Queen Camilla." This follows historical precedent: Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, was also a queen consort but was commonly called Queen Elizabeth during her husband King George VI's reign.

A frequently asked question concerns what happens if King Charles dies before Camilla. Unlike a queen regnant, a queen consort does not continue to reign after her husband's death. If Charles were to pass away, Prince William would immediately become King, and Catherine would become Queen Consort. Camilla would then likely adopt a title similar to "Queen Dowager" or follow the example of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, who retained her title with the addition of "the Queen Mother" to distinguish her from her daughter, the reigning queen. According to constitutional experts at the UK Parliament's website, the succession is clearly defined by the Succession to the Crown Act 2013.

As Queen Consort, Camilla has carved out a distinctive role focused on literacy, supporting victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse, and animal welfare. She serves as patron or president of over 90 charities. Her literacy campaign includes initiatives like The Queen's Reading Room, a book club that promotes reading and literature. She has been particularly vocal about domestic violence, working with organizations like SafeLives and speaking openly about the issue in public forums. This work has earned her respect even among those who initially opposed her marriage to Charles.

At 76 years old, Queen Camilla represents a modern approach to the consort role. She balances traditional ceremonial duties with substantive advocacy work. Her family—including her children Tom Parker Bowles, a food writer and critic, and Laura Lopes, an art curator, along with five grandchildren—maintains a relatively private life while supporting her public role. Young photos of Camilla show a confident, attractive woman who was part of London's social scene in the 1960s and 1970s, offering a glimpse into her life before royal duties.