Camilla's Children From Her Previous Marriage See Themselves 'Just On The Side' Of Royal Spotlight

Sep 29, 2022 by apost team

Camilla, Queen Consort of the United Kingdom, is one of the most controversial figures to join the British royal family. Before marrying King Charles III on April 9th, 2005, King Charles III and Camilla met in 1970 at a polo match. According to Britannica, many people in their friend group assumed that Charles would propose to Camilla. But in 1973, the then-25-year-old Camilla wed British Army officer Andrew Parker Bowles.

The couple had two children together but eventually divorced in 1995. Throughout the course of their first marriages, King Charles III and Camilla continued their romantic connection. According to NBCNews, in the 90s, the public blamed Camilla for the devastating end of Diana and King Charles III's marriage. The British tabloids often referred to Camilla as the "third person" in Diana and Charles' marriage. She was even regarded as one of if not the "most hated woman in Britain."

It took decades, but Camilla changed how the public viewed her by using her platform to delve into humanitarianism. According to Princesofwhales.gov, the Queen Consort is the patron or president of over 100 charities. Her charity work focuses on important themes such as "health, literacy, supporting those in need; the elderly, victims of rape and sexual abuse and domestic violence, empowering women; food; animals, dance and heritage, and the arts." According to Express, Camilla is ranked the 11th most famous royal family member. She was ranked only four places behind her husband, King Charles III.

Despite their marriage starting off in deep controversy, the couple has shown nothing but love for one another and their children. Although the Queen Consort won the heart of Britain, her children have shied away from the spotlight of the Royal family.

Camilla has two children, a son and daughter named Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes (born Laura Parker Bowles), with her ex-husband Andrew Parker Bowles. Following her divorce from Andrew, Camilla wed then-Prince Charles and became the Duchess of Cornwall. At the time, Camilla took a different title than the proposed title of "Princess of Wales" because the beloved late Princess Diana was bestowed that title.

According to Express, royal biographer Penny Junor noted in her biography, "The Firm," written about Princes Phillips and the Royal Family, Camilla's biggest concern was her step-sons, William and Harry. 

"A not insignificant part of the reason why they had waited until 2005 to announce their engagement was a sensitivity towards the boys," Junor wrote. "They didn't want to foist a stepmother on William and Harry before they had fully grown up."

The Queen Consort connected instantly with her new step-sons. Harry commented on his relationship with his stepmother in his book "Harry: The Biography of a Prince," written by Angela Levin:

"To be honest, she's always been very close to me and William. She's not a wicked stepmother. Look at the position she's coming into." He also added: "Don't feel sorry for me and William, feel sorry for her."

Although her new step-sons welcomed Camilla with open arms, their relationship with their new step-siblings was the complete opposite. According to TheNews, royal author Katie Nicholl wrote about how King Charles III and Camilla's affair affected their children in her 2010 biography "Harry and William."

"William and Laura used to have terrible fights over who was to blame for their broken homes," Nicholl wrote.

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Despite the rocky start to their relationship, William and Harry have grown to love their step-siblings and vice versa. The siblings all attended each other's weddings, and in 2011 Laura's daughter Eliza was a bridesmaid in Prince Williams' and Kate Middleton's wedding. 

Camilla's children have shied away from the public eye but have excelled in their respective fields. Her son, Tom Parker Bowles, is a famed British food critic, writer, and cookbook author. In 2005, a couple of months after his mother married King Charles III, Tom married his long-time girlfriend, Sara Buys. They have a daughter and son, Lola and Frederick.

Camilla's daughter, Laura Lopes, is an art curator. In 2006, Lopes married former Calvin Klein model Harry Lopes. On her special day, Laura wore a dress by Anna Valentine, the same designer who designed Camilla's wedding dress when she married Prince Charles. The couple now has three children; Eliza and twin boys Gus and Louis. 

In an interview with Good Morning Britain, as per Cosmopolitan, Tom explained why he and his sister stayed out of the royal spotlight, stating he and his sister were "not quite part of the royal family, to be honest."

"My mother married into it. She's part of it," he further explained. "We're the common children. We're just on the side."

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph in 2017, Tom shared that he wasn't always the good man he is now. “I was pretty s--- at most things,” he said. “I was naughty, partied a bit hard. When I was younger I got sacked all the time. But I loved eating and could just about string a sentence together, so I thought I could write about food," he shared.

The Queen Consort's son is now an established food writer. He also shared that a perk of being in the royal family is always knowing where his mom is. “Still, it’s nice to know that if I haven’t spoken to my mum for two days, I can turn on the telly and see where she is," he said. 

According to Us Magazine, Tom revealed that he has always loved his stepfather. “I’ve always adored my stepfather; he’s always been a kind and good and lovely man,” he shared. “He is a man of warmth, intelligence and humanity and I think if it ever happens, he will make a fantastic king," he added before his step-grandmother passed away in Sept. of 2022. 

According to Express, King Charles III "may bestow royal titles upon his stepchildren" after he ascended the throne. Although the Queen Consort's children enjoy their privacy, they occasionally make red carpet events to support their family. 

When Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, was installed as the Royal Lady of the Order of the Garter by late Queen Elizabeth II, her children made a rare appearance. 

Following Queen Elizabeth II passing away in Sept. 2022, Camilla's children were in attendance at her funeral. King Charles III's children feel the same way about their mother as they do their father. 

Harry said, "She's a wonderful woman and she's made our father very, very happy which is the most important thing. William and I love her to bits."

It has been reported that despite their love for their stepmother, Harry and William didn't want her to have the title of "queen consort" when King Charles III took the throne, despite the Queen showing her support for Camilla to take the title.  

What do you think about Camilla the Duchess of Cornwall's children's decision to stay out of the spotlight? Do you think this decision would change if they received royal titles? If you learned something from this article — be sure to let any other royal fans know what you have learned.