Once vilified by the public as a marriage wrecker, Camilla Rosemary Shand is the United Kingdom’s Queen Consort. Camilla secured her title during celebrations marking Queen Elizabeth II’s seven decades on the throne. The former monarch said:
“When, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me; and it is my sincere with that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service.”
Charles and Camilla do not have children together
Charles and Camilla do not share children. However, they have children from previous relationships.
The situation might have been different had Charles decided to marry Camilla five decades ago. Charles courted Camilla, but though she was from an upper-class family, she wasn’t a member of the aristocracy or a princess.
Camilla grew tired of waiting for Charles and married Andrew Parker-Bowles. Charles married Diana Spencer, but the pair had an unhappy union. Camilla and Charles’ affair started a year before his marriage to Diana.
King Charles and Diana welcomed two sons: William and Harry.
Charles has excellent relationships with Camilla’s children, Tom and Laura
Camilla and Parker-Bowles welcomed two children: Tom and Laura. Tom is something of a celebrity in the United Kingdom, having gained fame for food writing. In 2017, Tom talked to The Telegraph about his career:
“I was pretty shit at most things. 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.”
Tom has two children with ex-wife Sara Buys, whom he divorced in 2018 following 13 years of marriage. Laura, an art critic, has less tolerance for the limelight than Tom. She shares three children – Eliza, Gus, and Louis – with Harry Lopes.
Charles has a great relationship with Tom and Laura. Tom told A Current Affair:
“I’ve always adored my stepfather; he’s always been a kind and good and lovely man. He is a man of warmth, intelligence and humanity and I think if it ever happens, he will make a fantastic king.”
Camilla’s ascension to Queen Consort won’t affect her children’s status. Joe Little, the managing editor of Majesty Magazine, told Page Six:
“Tom and Laura will remain exactly as they are, their names won’t change. If they haven’t needed security up until now, they won’t get it when the reign changes — unless it’s needed. But as a matter of course, they will not get security.”
Nevertheless, you can expect to see Tom and Laura at royal events. You can also expect to see more of them in the news as the media takes a closer interest in their lives. Little said:
“Tom and Laura will attend their mother’s coronation, and inevitably there will be media scrutiny returning to them at that point. They must be aware of it, Camilla will be aware of it. A lot of things will now change, and one of the downsides is that the newspapers will take more of an interest in them.”
