Princess Anne and Camilla, Queen Consort of the United Kingdom, have an intriguing shared history involving romantic connections. Before Prince Charles (now King Charles III) and Camilla became a couple, Camilla was married to Andrew Parker Bowles, and he also had a romantic link with Princess Anne, Charles’ younger sister.

Here’s a deeper dive into the story:

Early 1970s: Princess Anne and Andrew Parker Bowles’ Romance

In the early 1970s, Princess Anne and Andrew Parker Bowles, an officer in the British Army, were romantically linked. Their relationship blossomed in royal circles, and they were often seen together at equestrian events, as both shared a deep love for horses and polo. However, the relationship wasn’t meant to last. One significant obstacle was that Andrew Parker Bowles was Catholic, and under the laws governing the royal family at the time, it would have been difficult for Princess Anne, who was Protestant, to marry him without complicated consequences regarding her royal status.

Despite their romantic involvement, Princess Anne and Andrew remained close friends after their relationship ended. Their shared interests and mutual respect endured, and their bond became a matter of royal gossip for years.

Mid-1970s: Camilla and Andrew Parker Bowles Marry

While Andrew was linked to Princess Anne, Camilla was also navigating her romantic life. She had met Prince Charles in the early 1970s, and the two shared a romantic connection. However, royal pressures, distance, and timing prevented their relationship from developing further at that time. Camilla ended up marrying Andrew Parker Bowles on July 4, 1973, in a grand wedding attended by royals and socialites. They went on to have two children together, Tom and Laura.

1980s and Beyond: The Charles and Camilla Affair

As Camilla’s marriage with Andrew progressed, Prince Charles’ relationship with Diana, Princess of Wales, began. Despite this, Charles and Camilla rekindled their close bond in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Their affair became one of the most controversial love stories in modern royal history.

Camilla and Andrew eventually divorced in 1995, and Prince Charles divorced Princess Diana in 1996, after years of speculation and public scrutiny.

2005: Charles and Camilla Marry

On April 9, 2005, after years of being under the public eye, Prince Charles and Camilla officially married in a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall, with a blessing held at St George’s Chapel. Their union marked the culmination of a decades-long relationship, despite the various entanglements in their earlier lives.

Princess Anne and Camilla’s Relationship Today

Though they share a romantic past with Andrew Parker Bowles, Princess Anne and Camilla have always maintained a cordial relationship. Both women continue to perform their royal duties, and their shared history remains an interesting footnote in royal affairs.

This unusual and interconnected story is a reminder of the intricate web of relationships within the British royal family, where love, duty, and history often intertwine in fascinating ways.

TV presenter Anne Robinson has revealed she is dating Queen Camilla’s ex-husband Andrew Parker Bowles. Robinson, 79, best known for her cutting remarks hosting BBC quiz show The Weakest Link, drily confirmed the news saying: “Yes. Full stop. Mind your own business.”