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These 30 IRL Photos of Camilla Parker Bowles as a Young Woman Prove She’s Always Been Royal AF

a person in a red dress sitting in a car
This? Oh, Just 30 Pics of Camilla as a Young WomanGetty Images

Thanks to The Crown (which is in its sixth and final season), we are all veeeery much aware of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles’s tumultuous relationship.

I mean, season 3 of the hit show revealed how the eventual couple met, the fact they were dating while Camilla was on a break from her future first husband, Andrew Parker Bowles, and how Princess Anne was actually dating Andrew for a quick sec while Camilla and Charles were together. So yeah, you could say things were pretty complicated!

Meanwhile, Charles and Camilla's relationship didn’t change all that much after Charles and Princess Diana got married. In fact, they got back together once Charles and Diana separated and divorced and were married themselves in 2005, which allowed Camilla to be Queen Consort of England once Queen Elizabeth died in September 2022 Charles became the king of England (Quick side note: A Queen Consort is not the same as a Queen).

So yeah, we know how these two got together IRL, but you might still be wondering what Camilla was like at that age. Did The Crown (and the actress who plays her, Emerald Fennell) do Camilla justice? Here are the very few pictures we could find of Camilla Shand as a young woman.

And FYI before we dive in: Rumor has it that Camilla and Charles' wedding is when The Crown will finally end—paving the way for a potential spin-off involving Prince Charles and his sons, Prince Harry and Prince William. We all know how drama-filled that particular chapter of royal history is, so stay tuned.

1952

Starting with bb Camilla! She’s on the left, in a starring role as a bridesmaid.

Wee Bridesmaids
William Vanderson - Getty Images

1970

Here she is with her future husband Charles at a polo match. This was before they were both married to other people.

Charles And Camilla
Serge Lemoine - Getty Images

1973

As you know, she didn’t marry Prince Charles right away. Here she is on the day of her first wedding.

The Parker Bowles
Frank Barratt - Getty Images

1973

The hair here is truly iconic.

Parker-Bowles Marriage
Wood - Getty Images

1973

Did you have people with swords at your wedding? Probably not!

Parker-Bowles Marriage
Wood - Getty Images

1973

Another angle of that same photo. Again, so fancy.

Guard Of Honour
Frank Barratt - Getty Images

1975

This was after she got married to someone else, but Charles was still single.

Royalty - Prince of Wales and Camilla Parker-Bowles - Drury Lane, London
PA Images - Getty Images

1976

Behold, an early paparazzi photo.

camilla parker bowles in 1976
Robin Jones - Getty Images

1979

This is the most British photo I’ve ever seen in my entire life.

Charles And Camilla In 1979 - Special Fee Applies
Tim Graham - Getty Images

1979

Like, Charles is wearing Hunter boots, I’m pretty sure.

Charles And Camilla In 1979 - Special Fee Applies
Tim Graham - Getty Images

1979

Those PANTS. Hello.

Charles With Camilla In 1979 - Special Fee Applies
Tim Graham - Getty Images

1979

Spot Camilla in the background as Charles and his turtleneck triumphantly step on this bale of hay.

charles walking
Tim Graham - Getty Images

1980

So this was before Charles and Diana got married, but obviously Camilla is still in the picture as a friend.

Diana & Camilla At Ludlow Races
Express Newspapers - Getty Images

1980

They went to go watch Charles play polo together. So many good boots in one picture.

CAMILLA PARKER-BOWLES & DIANA
PA Images - Getty Images

1980

I wonder who this random man is?

Camilla Parker-Bowles/Diana
PA Images - Getty Images

1980

Diana said in an interview after she and Charles split that she felt like there were three people in her marriage, hinting at Camilla.

Camilla Parker-Bowles and Diana at Ludlow racecourse
PA Images - Getty Images

1989

I think, more than anything, we need to have a conversation about this hat.

camilla parker bowles
Tim Graham - Getty Images

1998

And this one, too, while we're at it!

camilla at wedding
Tim Graham - Getty Images

1992

This woman loves a polo match!

camilla parker bowles at polo
Neil Munns - PA Images - Getty Images

1994

New decade, same car pic vibes.

camilla
Barry Batchelor - PA Images - Getty Images

1998

And another one for good measure.

camilla and her sister annabel
Tim Graham - Getty Images

1994

Another day, another hat!

camilla parker bowles
Martin Keene - PA Images - Getty Images

1995

More Hunter boots!!

camilla parker bowles à corsham
Mathieu Polak - Getty Images

1995

But mostly hi to these very good dogs.

camilla
Barry Batchelor - PA Images - Getty Images

1995

We love a girl who rides horses. LOVE.

le prince charles et camilla parker bowles
Mathieu Polak - Getty Images

1995

Camilla 🤝🏻 horse 'fits.

c parker bowles at highgrove hunt
Mathieu Polak - Getty Images

1999

I, too, would simply love to have a cute lil staycation at the London Ritz with my beau.

camilla and charles ritz
Tim Graham - Getty Images

1999

*Zooms in on fancy-looking chandeliers* Yep, I would not be mad about this.

camilla and charles ritz
Tim Graham - Getty Images

1995

Here's Camilla on her way to a party at The Ritz with Charles. (Timeline note: Charles and Diana's divorce was finalized in 1996, but they were separated at this point.)

the prince of wales and camilla parker bowles attend a party at the ritz
Julian Parker - Getty Images

1995

Okay, Camilla!

camiila parker bowles
PA Images - Getty Images

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