In many ways, Queen Camilla has become one of the most popular figures in the British Royal Family. If one had made that claim a decade or two ago people would have scarce believed it. Today, it’s veritable fact.
Camilla’s journey toward becoming queen has been very long and often controversial, not least considering that she and King Charles engaged in an affair while he was still married to Princess Diana.
Today, things have changed a lot, but there are still many things about Camilla’s past that people might not know about. Here, we take a closer look at her early life – and some of the throwback pictures that have been hidden for years.
In modern history it’s become common practice for non-royal individuals to marry into the Royal Family. Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle are two recent examples, while the late Princess Diana a slightly older one. Yet it’s another who has arguably caused the most friction…
Queen Camilla – childhood
Queen Camila’s introduction into the Royal Family left people feeling furious and betrayed. After all, Camilla was seen by many to be then-Prince Charles’ mistress, and so plenty of people deemed her not fit to be a part of the Firm.
But how did Camilla end up in the Royal Family from the beginning? Let’s take a closer look at her past.
It should be noted that Camilla wasn’t an ordinary citizen. Born on July 17, 1947, her family tree includes many notable figures, including Alice Keppel, the mistress of Edward VII, and Thomas Cubitt, a famous builder.
Camilla’s family was wealthy, owning houses in both East Essex and South Kensington. Being a part of the elite in that era meant that the children had to, at least to some extent, make it on their own. But Camilla’s parents, Bruce and Rosalind Shand, were supportive and loving. According to The Guardian, this was “unusual for their class and era.”
Speaking with Women’s Day, Camilla reminisced about her “idyllic” childhood.
“I was one of the very lucky ones, I had the idyllic childhood right in the country, sitting on the South Downs with my brother and my sister and our pets and our ponies. I think it was a very simple childhood,” she said.
“Sometimes in the summer, we used to ride to school on our ponies, probably something that’s more Australian than English, but we used to ride and then tie them up and ride back again. It just shows how things have changed because, in those days, there was nothing on the roads. Can you imagine now letting a child ride to school with its satchel on its back? I mean, it wouldn’t happen.”
Bridesmaids and sisters 4-year-old Camilla and 3-year-old Annabelle Shand, at the wedding of Jeremy Cubitt and Diana du Cane in St Mark’s church, North Audley Street, London, January 17, 1952. (Photo by William Vanderson/Fox Photos/Getty Images)
Camilla grew up alongside her two younger siblings, Annabel and Mark. Sadly, Mark passed away in 2014.
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