There are many things the world wishes to know about King Charles III. And while there are certain things that the general public will never be able to understand about the British monarch, little snippets of information about his relationship with Camilla have come to light over the years. And these little-known facts prove that so much has happened behind the closed doors of Buckingham Palace that Charles and Camilla don't want us to know - including, according to some, a secret son.
Charles' First Girlfriend Introduced Him and Camilla
Over the years, there have been many different stories all related to how King Charles and his current wife really met. It's often been noted that the couple first met at a polo match, where they bonded over their love of the sport and where Camilla disclosed a family connection to Charles (more on that later). However, this story has been disputed by the author of an authorized royal biography. Apparently, the real story is that Charles' lover at the time introduced them!
Lucia Santa Cruz is largely regarded as King Charles' first girlfriend, and she claims to have introduced Charles to Camilla when she lived in the same apartment block as Camilla.
Palace Staff Helped Keep Their Affair a Secret
Although other members of the royal family had previously made no secret of their lovers, Camilla and Charles decided to do things a little differently when they began their own affair. Over the course of their 30-year dalliance, they did everything they could to avoid detection. And while some of those closest to them suspected that something was amiss, Charles and Camilla reportedly outsmarted many of the people who worked in the palaces thanks to their decoys.
Apparently, Charles would instruct his valet to turn off the palace's alarm system on the nights of their trysts. And the former prince even earned the nickname " The Prince of Darkness" from Camilla's staff when he left in darkness in the early morning hours.
Camilla Didn't Want to Get Married Because She Was "holding Out for a King"
Although those who knew of their affair assumed that Prince Charles and Camilla were nothing more than an exciting and secretive fling, many have suggested that Camilla Parker-Bowles knew exactly what she wanted from her life. As all of her friends and peers married around her, Camilla decided to hold out. She knew that it was expected of her to marry "up," and she didn't want to settle for second best.
In fact, it's been reported by a royal biographer that Camilla told those around her that she was "holding out for a king." Of course, this wouldn't be an easy journey.
Camilla's Great Grandmother Had an Affair With Charles' Great-Great Grandfather, King Edward VII
When the then-Prince Charles first met Camilla Parker Bowles in 1970, he assumed that their only connection was sharing a love of polo and hanging out in the same friendship circle. However, it turns out that their two families share an infamous connection - all thanks to Camilla's maternal great-grandmother, Alice Keppel. That's because Alice Keppel is known for being one of the long-term mistresses of Charles' great-great-grandfather, King Edward VII.
Apparently, Camilla Parker-Bowles was aware of this connection, and she would often brag to her classmates about the fact that she was connected to the royal family. Little did she know that she would later follow in her great-grandmother's footsteps.
Camilla and Andrew Got Engaged Unexpectedly While Charles Was Away in the Navy
King Charles puts on a strong face for the public, but it's believed that he suffered great heartbreak when he was younger. Before Princess Diana came along, Charles and Camilla were the perfect (secret) couple. They were committed to each other, and Charles wanted to take the next step - but he knew that his family didn't approve of her. He was also sent away in 1973 for seven months to work for the Royal Navy.
Although he intended to return home and resume his relationship with Camilla, he was shocked when it was announced that Camilla was engaged to Andrew Parker-Bowles just two months into his trip. Apparently, he was devastated.
Camilla's Now-Husband Had Previously Almost Married Charles' Sister, Princess Anne
Despite the fact that Charles and Camilla married different people, it's noted that they continued their affair for many years. However, this wasn't the only time when lines were blurred between them. Their complicated family tree even saw Camilla's husband dating Charles' sister, Princess Anne. In fact, Andrew Parker-Bowles dated Princess Anne for many years before Camilla came along, and their relationship was extremely serious. It's reported that marriage was even on the cards.
Although Anne and Andrew later broke up, their connection was just another complication to add to King Charles and Camilla's affair. Did these entanglements cause rifts between Charles and his personal relationships?
Andrew Parker-Bowles Had No Choice but to Marry Camilla
Despite the fact that their marriage was plagued with affairs on both sides, Camilla and Andrew Parker-Bowles were married for 22 years. However, it seems as though Andrew had no choice. When Camilla's father had enough of waiting for his daughter's boyfriend to pop the question (and perhaps had enough of her affair with the Prince), he went ahead and placed an engagement announcement in their chosen newspaper. As a result, Andrew felt forced into asking for her hand in marriage.
Although Camilla and Charles were already in love at this point, the royal family had made it clear that Charles was not allowed to marry Camilla. So, Camilla said yes to Andrew.
A Love Triangle Where No One Was Truly Faithful
News of Charles' affair with Camilla Parker Bowles didn't go down well with some members of the general public once Camilla married, but the press soon made it known that Camilla wasn't the only one breaking the vows of her marriage. It later came to light that Camilla's ex-husband Andrew Parker-Bowles had also been having an affair during their time together. In fact, he reportedly had many mistresses during their marriage of 22 years.
It's believed that the military officer had his most intimate affair with Rosemary Pitman, a woman that he later married in 1996. They were together until she sadly passed away in 1996.
Princess Diana Called Camilla "the Rottweiler"
Today, Camilla holds many names and titles. Before the late Queen Elizabeth II passed away, she was known as Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cornwall - and she was also known as the Duchess of Rothesay. And now that her husband is the king, Camilla is officially the Queen consort of the United Kingdom, a title bestowed upon her by her late mother-in-law. However, when Princess Diana was alive, she had another name.
According to reports, Diana called Camilla "the rottweiler" - and this was apparently one of her more polite nicknames for the woman she knew her husband was having an affair with.
Charles' Secret Gift to Camilla Right Before His and Diana's Wedding
When Prince Charles and Princess Diana got engaged, Diana hoped that her husband would stay committed to her and their marriage. However, it soon became clear to her that there was always going to be a third person in their marriage - especially when Prince Charles bought his mistress a gold bracelet ahead of their wedding. This bracelet was engraved with the initials "GF," which was a nod to their secret love affair.
Throughout their secret relationship, Charles and Camilla referred to each other as "Gladys" and "Fred" to avoid suspicion. Sadly, Princess Diana saw this bracelet just weeks before she was due to walk down the aisle.
She Had No Choice but to Invite Camilla to Their Wedding
Charles eventually decided to put aside his love for Camilla Parker-Bowles and marry Princess Diana. And there's no doubt about the fact that their wedding was an extravagant affair, with a guest list like no other. However, what many people couldn't understand was why Camilla Parker-Bowles was in attendance. Surely Diana wouldn't allow her new husband's ex to overshadow their big moment? Unfortunately for Diana, she had no choice but to invite her.
At the time, Camilla's husband, Andrew Parker-Bowles, was the Commanding Officer of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, which meant that he had a big part to play in the wedding. So Camilla had to be invited, too.
People Physically Attacked Camilla When the Public Learned of Charles' and Diana's Divorce
Although Prince Charles and Princess Diana's marriage was tainted by rumored affairs on both sides, there was no denying the fact that the public took Diana's side when their marriage came crumbling down. Diana had become known as the "People's Princess," and fans loved how down-to-earth she was. Because of this, they were extremely quick to blame Camilla Parker Bowles for wrecking the royals' seemingly perfect marriage. Some even got physical with her.
When news of Camilla's involvement in the royal divorce made its way into the public domain, fans even started throwing chunks of bread at her. From this, she knew she wasn't popular.
The Brothers Were Still in Mourning When They Learned Their Dad and Camilla Were Officially Together
Princes William and Harry were extremely young when their mother passed away, but even they knew that their parent's marriage wasn't perfect. Although it's not known whether they knew that their father was having an affair with Camilla, they were reportedly upset when they learned that their father was dating Camilla after their mother's untimely death. While they wanted their dad to be happy, they were still in mourning for their mother.
It's believed that the brother leaned on each other a lot during this time, and after talking it over, they decided to give Camilla a chance. So, they told their dad that they were willing to meet with her.
The Queen Didn't Like Her
When Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles started secretly dating, Charles knew that he'd have to win his mother around. He wanted to marry her, but the late Queen Elizabeth II wasn't impressed. She believed that Camilla was too "experienced" to marry into the royal family, and so she refused to give her son her blessing. And it's been suggested that the Queen struggled to warm up to her after Diana's death, too.
Although the Queen allowed Charles and Camilla to officially start dating after Diana's passing, she initially refused to allow Camilla to attend royal functions or visit royal estates.
Charles Hired a PR Expert to Help Clean up Camilla's Image
After struggling through a marriage that made him unhappy, Charles wanted a second chance with Camilla after his ex-wife's death. He wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of his life with the woman he had been in love with for decades, and he knew that this wouldn't come easy. So, he decided to put in the work - and he hired PR expert Mark Bolland to help him out.
With Mark's help, he wanted to help clean up Camilla's image and turn her into a woman that the British public would be proud to call their queen consort. Otherwise, he knew it wouldn't work.
Camilla Almost Had to Cancel Their Wedding
When the public learned of Charles and Camilla Parker's Bowles' official relationship, there's no doubt about the fact that opinions were divided. Some couldn't ignore the affair that broke Princess Diana's heart, while others could see that they were made for each other. But nevertheless, the world congratulated the couple when it was confirmed that they would marry on April 9, 2005. And although fans came out in their thousands to see them tie the knot, Camilla almost didn't make it.
On the morning of her wedding, Camilla Parker-Bowles woke up with a bad case of sinusitis. She felt so ill that she almost canceled the whole day! Thankfully, her sister managed to convince her to get out of bed.
A Stressful First Meeting With Princes Harry and William
In an effort to win over the royal family as a whole, Camilla agreed to meet with Princes William and Harry. She wanted to prove that she was the right woman to date their father, and she wanted to prove that she was the right woman to one day become queen consort herself. Unfortunately, nobody knows exactly what happened during this first meeting - although many would have loved to have been a fly on the wall.
However, it has been noted that when Camilla finished up her conversation with William and Harry, she immediately went to the now-King Charles and told him, "I need a drink."
She Decided to Meet With Prince Harry Alone the Next Time Around
Camilla knew that winning over the young princes would be hard, especially as they had both been so close to their mother. She didn't put pressure on them, but she still wanted to form a connection with them. So, she opted to meet with Prince Harry a second time. It's been reported that this second meeting went much better, as Harry was more chilled than his older brother during those earlier years.
It's believed that Camilla took this second meeting as the olive branch both of them needed. And while they're not too close today, it's believed that the princes appreciate that their father is finally happy. But if a weary prediction by a famous figure becomes true, the royal family might not be happy forever - especially King Charles.
The Worrisome Prediction About King Charles
Although many wouldn't associate the French astrologer and prophet Nostradamus with the royal family, one scholar believes that this iconic figure in history predicted disaster for King Charles. British author Mario Reading has claimed in his book that Nostradamus correctly predicted major events in history, including the 9/11 disaster and the rise of Hitler. And as Nostradamus lived during the 16th century, that's pretty impressive. And that's not all - he also predicted the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Mario Reading believes that Nostradamus predicted the late monarch's passing in 2022, and that's not the only thing that he predicted about the royal family. Charles was involved in another prediction, too.
"The People Will Force Out the King of the Islands"
Reading claims in his book that Nostradamus wrote, "Because they disapproved of his divorce/A man who later they considered unworthy/The people will force out the King of the islands/A man will replace him who never expected to be King." Of course, this seems to correlate with King Charles' affair and his subsequent divorce from Princess Diana. After this happened, a poll found that two-thirds of the British public deemed Charles unfit to rule the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
And while it's fair to say that opinions have changed since then, there's no doubt about the fact that Nostradamus did get something correct. After all, many Commonwealth countries have chosen to cut ties with the monarchy.
"A Man Will Replace Him Who Never Expected to Be King”
With Nostradamus' prediction in their heads, many people can't help but wonder if Prince Harry is the man who will "replace him who never expected to be King." And while there are many people out there who believe that Harry would be a refreshing new take on the monarchy, there are others who don't think he should be given the opportunity. And there's even one man out there who believes that he should be considered ahead of Harry for the throne.
Although it's long been thought that Prince Harry is King Charles' second son, Simon Dorante-Day believes that Prince William is actually the second son. And he believes that he is the first.
Or Could the Prediction Be Referring to Charles and Camilla's Love Child?
Simon Dorante-Day currently lives in Queensland, Australia, but he hasn't always lived Down Under. The father of nine was actually born in the UK in 1966, and he was adopted by a loving family. And while his adoptive family will always have a special place in his heart, he believes that his biological parents are King Charles and Queen Camilla. Yes, he believes that he is their secret love child.
In fact, he has claimed that his "Camilla-style hair" and his "Windsor-like cheekbones and teeth" are proof enough that he's their love child. But he also believes that he has other proof.
His Adoptive Parents Had Worked for the Royal Family
Simon knows that his story is an unusual one, but he wholeheartedly believes that he was put up for adoption by Camilla Shand when he was just eight months old. And he thinks that this was all thanks to his adoptive grandparents, Winifred and Ernest Bowlden. That's because his adoptive grandparents were extremely close to the royal family during their working years, and they reportedly had direct contact with King Charles and Camilla.
His grandmother Winifred worked as a royal chef, while his grandfather served as a royal gardener for decades. This meant that they were privy to certain royal secrets - including the affair between Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles.
He Alleges His Grandmother Told Him the Truth
When Simon visited his grandparents during his early years, they would often share information with him about the royal family. They also disclosed secrets they heard throughout their years of service in the royal households, and it was during one of these conversations that Simon's adoptive grandmother reportedly disclosed the identities of his biological parents. Winifred claimed that then-Prince Charles and Camilla were the ones who gave him up for adoption.
Simon stated that Winifred "didn't just hint at it; she told me outright." And she also reportedly stated that Camilla looked after Simon for the first eight months of his life before changing her mind about him.
He Says Camilla Initially Wanted to Keep Him
After doing his own research, Simon is now more convinced than ever that he is the secret love child of King Charles and Camilla. He believes that Camilla wanted to keep him but found the intense pressure and scrutiny surrounding her affair with Prince Charles to be too much to bear. And while she wanted to keep him a secret, she realized it would be too exhausting for the rest of her life.
His grandmother also told him that, by the time he was eight months old, he had become "too old" to hide and keep a secret. So, Camilla allegedly gave Simon to Winifred's daughter, who had always wanted a child.
Simon Believes He Was Born a Year After Charles and Camilla's Initial Meeting
In Simon's eyes, the date of his birth and the date of Charles and Camilla's love affair totally match up. According to his own research, he believes that Camilla and Charles first laid eyes on each other on 30 January 1965, when they both attended the funeral of Sir Winston Churchill. Although other reports refute these claims, he believes that this was the moment that they first fell in love with each other.
After that first meeting, Simon believes that Charles and Camilla grew closer and closer - to the point where they conceived a child. And Simon was born just one year after this initial meeting.
Simon Believes There Are No Photos of Camilla From the Time She Was Pregnant
Simon wholeheartedly believes that Camilla and Charles started dating in the summer of 1965, and it's his opinion that he was conceived during that time. He also believes it's suspicious that both Charles and Camilla seemingly disappeared shortly after his alleged conception. While 18-year-old Prince Charles was sent off on a royal tour of Australia for a few months, Camilla seemed to disappear from high society entirely. Was she afraid to show her bump?
Although Simon has tried to find photos of Camilla Shand during the time he believes her to have been pregnant, there is none. Plus, he has confessed that he remembers meeting Camilla during his younger years.
Simon Has Memories of Secret Meetings With Camilla
Simon believes that the date of his birth matches up with Charles and Camilla's relationship, but that's not the only thing that's pointing him in the direction of his royal heritage. He also has memories of having secret meetings with a woman that looked just like Camilla, with royal guards and protection officers presiding over each meeting. He stated that his grandparents would take him to strange houses when he was younger to meet her.
At the time, he didn't know or understand who the woman was. However, now that he's older and has put the pieces together, he has convinced himself that he is meeting with his biological mother, Camilla.
Simon Believes He's the Rightful Heir to the Throne
Although King Charles and Queen Camilla have been together - both officially and unofficially - for many decades now, they both had children with their former spouses and not with each other. This places Prince William as first in line to the throne. However, Simon believes that his existence was covered up by the royal family, and he believes that he is the rightful heir to the throne and the first son of King Charles.
Of course, his theory has come under fire over the years. And as people have questioned him, they've asked for proof. And that's exactly why Simon has shared photos of his own children, to show his royal connection.
A Family Resemblance
Simon believes that the royal family forced him to undergo surgery when he was younger to change his appearance. But as his own children have not undergone the same surgery, he thinks that they are the ultimate proof of his royal connection. He's shared many photos of his family online over the years, and he believes that his children bear an impressive and uncanny resemblance to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
From their nose shape to their smiles, he believes that his children look just like the woman he believes is their great-grandmother. And many of his followers couldn't deny the resemblance, especially when they saw the next photo.
Sparking an Intense Reaction
In April 2021, Simon shared a new photo of his family online for his followers to admire. And it didn't take long for his followers to zoom in on his son Liam on the left. As they looked at this photo, they were blown away and instantly bombarded the Australian with comments. Those who had been skeptical of his claims before were suddenly convinced, and they could finally see what he was trying to tell the world.
In their eyes, Liam was the spitting image of the late Queen when she was younger. And to make things easier for followers to see, one fan posted a comparison of the two of them.
A Viral Photo
After editing the photo slightly, one follower was able to create a direct comparison between Liam and the young queen. The colors were the same, their heads were facing the same direction, and they were both smiling. And with this direct comparison in front of them, many more followers were convinced. Their features looked identical, and there was no denying that the two people looked incredibly alike. Before too long, the picture went viral.
As more and more people learned of Simon's claims, they all formed their own opinion. Some people believe that he's the love child of King Charles and Camilla, while others claim he's searching for publicity. So, what's the truth?
Operation Parker Bowles
In the early days, Charles and Camilla had a secret relationship. But when Prince Charles and Princess Diana finally decided to separate in 1992, this opened up a new opportunity for the couple. However, the royal family knew that they couldn't just introduce Camilla to the public as though nothing had happened. They needed to be smart about it, and they knew that they needed to come up with a foolproof plan.
They even came up with a codename for their plan; "Operation PB." To those outside of the royal family, this would have meant nothing to them. But, of course, this stood for Operation Parker Bowles.
Camilla Has Some Famous Cousins
Queen Camilla has come a long way since she was Camilla Shand. And while some would say that her connection to the king is her greatest achievement to date, what some people don't realize is the fact that she has some very famous cousins. For the most part, you can trace her ancestry back to 17th Century Canada - and this means that she's connected to some very high-profile Canadians.
In fact, Camilla's distant cousins include singers Madonna, Shania Twain, Celine Dion, and Justin Bieber. As if that wasn't enough, she's also reportedly related to the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau.
Camilla Is Scared of Flying and Refuses to Take Long Flights
As the former Duchess of Cornwall and the current Queen consort, it should come as no surprise to learn that Camilla has to travel often. Her place within the royal family means that she constantly has to attend royal events across the globe. And while she has the pleasure of traveling in style on the royal jet, that doesn't make things easier for the woman who is terrified of flying.
Apparently, Camilla has put her foot down over the years. While she is willing to put her fear of flying aside for short-haul flights, she will make her husband take her place if the flight is too long.