Before ascending to the role of King Charles’ consort, Queen Camilla shared a life with Andrew Parker Bowles for over two decades, a union that, despite its end, evolved into a remarkable friendship. But here’s where it gets intriguing: their relationship didn’t dissolve into bitterness or silence. Instead, it transformed into a bond that defies the typical post-divorce narrative. ‘There’s a genuine closeness, but on a different level,’ explains Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty Magazine. ‘It’s a natural progression from a dissolved marriage into something else—far from frosty or awkward.’
And this is the part most people miss: Camilla and Andrew’s story began in the 1960s, long before she met Charles in the early 1970s. Introduced by Andrew’s younger brother Simon, their relationship faced early challenges. Biographer Sally Bedell Smith reveals in Prince Charles: The Passions and Paradoxes of an Improbable Life that Andrew was under mounting pressure to propose in 1973. His fathers, Derek Parker Bowles and Bruce Shand, grew ‘thoroughly exasperated by Andrew’s dithering,’ prompting Andrew’s cousin John Bowes-Lyon to claim they intervened by publishing an engagement notice in The Times. Was their marriage a product of convenience? Joe Little suggests it’s hard to say, but notes, ‘There’s no reason to doubt they loved each other when they married—they were together for 20 years.’
But here’s where it gets controversial: Their marriage wasn’t without challenges. Diana’s infamous 1995 BBC Panorama interview hinted at Camilla’s role in her marriage to Charles, but Joe Little points out that Andrew himself had a ‘roving eye’ both before and during their marriage. Biographer Penny Junor adds that Andrew didn’t ‘make a fuss’ when he discovered Camilla’s affair with Charles, perhaps because he was ‘in no position to complain.’
Their divorce in 1995 was announced as a joint decision, with the couple stating, ‘We have led completely separate lives… but we have a lasting friendship.’ Is it possible to remain friends after such a public split? For Camilla and Andrew, the answer lies in their children. Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes, teenagers at the time of the divorce, became the glue that kept their parents on amicable terms. Tom, in 2024, proudly referred to them as ‘still great friends,’ adding, ‘It’s a maturity… to keep it together for the sake of the children and each other.’
Here’s the thought-provoking question: Can exes truly remain friends without ulterior motives? Lady Lansdowne, a friend of Camilla’s, suggests they’ve maintained a ‘really good family ethic,’ with Andrew even calling out Camilla’s mistakes and vice versa. Their relationship is ‘extremely comfortable,’ Joe Little notes, ‘very civilized and natural.’
Over the years, Andrew has been a supportive presence at events like Royal Ascot and even attended Charles and Camilla’s coronation in 2023. But is their closeness too good to be true? While some reports claim they’re ‘joined at the hip,’ Joe suggests that’s an overstatement. Still, Camilla’s ‘backup team’ undoubtedly includes Andrew, a testament to their enduring bond. And King Charles? Joe believes he’s perfectly content with their dynamic, as ‘had he not been, the relationship wouldn’t be as we see it in public.’
What do you think? Is their friendship a rare example of post-divorce harmony, or is there more to the story? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a discussion!