Camilla’s 1st Birthday as Queen Marked With Celebratory Gun Salutes

Queen Camilla had a winding romantic journey before she settled down with King Charles III.

Before meeting the now-monarch, Camilla studied in England, Switzerland, and France. Her future changed when she became a debutante in London’s high society in 1965 and one of her friends introduced her to Charles. The pair began to date in the 1970s before he had to leave for his Royal Navy service. While Charles served his country, Camilla moved on with Andrew Parker Bowles. When the royal returned from his military service, he learned Camilla was engaged.

In July 1973, she wed Parker Bowles. The duo welcomed two children: son Tom in 1974 and daughter Laura in 1978. Charles, for his part, moved on with Princess Diana in 1981 and welcomed sons Prince William and Prince Harry, who were born in 1982 and 1984, respectively.

While married to their respective partners, Charles and Camilla allegedly began to rekindle their romance in secret. In December 1994, Camilla and Parker Bowles split after 21 years of marriage. Their divorce was finalized in March 1995. Charles and Diana, for their part, separated in 1992 amid speculation of marital issues — and allegations of infidelity on both sides. Their divorce was finalized in 1996.

Diana seemingly hinted at Charles’ affair with Camilla in 1995 during her infamous interview with BBC’s Panorama. “Well, there were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded,” the late Princess of Wales quipped as to why she and Charles didn’t last. (She died in a Paris car crash two years later.)

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Charles and Camilla got eventually engaged in February 2005 and tied the knot in a civil ceremony two months later. Camilla assumed the role of Duchess of Cornwall and began her tenure as a working member of the royal family.

Queen Elizabeth II announced in February 2022 that her daughter-in-law would earn the title of Queen Consort when Charles ascended the throne. When the announcement was made, Camilla shared she was “very honored and very touched” by the queen’s endorsement.

Following Elizabeth’s death in September 2022, both Charles and Camilla assumed their new titles. They were officially crowned as King and Queen of England, respectively, in May 2023.

Camilla celebrated her first birthday as queen in July 2023. “Gun salutes and music marked the first formal birthday salute for The Queen since The King’s Accession in September 2022,” read a tweet from the royal family’s official account. “Gun salutes were fired in Edinburgh, York, Hillsborough, Cardiff, and London and ‘Happy Birthday’ was played during Guard Change at Buckingham Palace.”

Keep scrolling to look back on Camilla through the years:

Charles and Camilla met and allegedly briefly dated before he left to serve in the Royal Navy.

Camilla married her first husband, British Army officer Parker Bowles.

The London native became a mother for the first time when she welcomed son Tom.

She and Parker Bowles expanded their family with daughter Laura.

Parker Bowles and Camilla called it quits and filed for divorce after 21 years of marriage.

Camilla and Charles went public with their relationship, despite rumors they allegedly began having an affair in 1986.

The couple wed in a civil ceremony after being engaged for two months. After their nuptials, she assumed the role of Duchess of Cornwall.

Camilla became a grandmother for the first time when her son Tom welcomed daughter Lola with his wife Sarah.

She made her first official royal visit to Canada alongside Charles.

Camilla attended her stepson Prince William’s royal wedding to Princess Kate.

Alongside William, Camilla was appointed to Queen Elizabeth II’s Privy Council, which is meant for the monarch’s most senior advisors.

Camilla was in attendance for Prince Harry’s wedding to Meghan Markle.

The royal couple celebrated 15 years of marriage while in lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Camilla was named Queen Consort as her husband assumed the role of king.

Camilla announced on February 23, 2023, that her “Reading Room” book club has become a nonprofit organization, aiming to provide new opportunities for adults and children to appreciate literature.

“My Reading Room started as a list of nine of my favorite books literally scribbled on a piece of paper during the first lockdown [for the coronavirus pandemic],” the queen consort said in a speech at the launch of the new charity. “It is now a global community of over 155,000. … I’m delighted to announce that the Reading Room has become a charity working to close the gap between readers and writers and helping people of all ages and backgrounds find and connect to books.”

Buckingham Palace released a portrait of Camilla and Charles ahead of their May 2023 coronation.

Camilla was crowned as the Queen of England during Charles’ coronation at Westminster Abbey. “May thy servant Camilla, who wears this crown, be filled by thine abundant grace and with all princely virtues; reign in her heart,” the Archbishop recited while presenting her with her crown. “O King of love, that, being certain of thy protection, she may be crowned with thy gracious favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” Camilla then grinned at Charles as she adjusted the crown on her head.