Her Majesty The Queen Consort
The Queen Consort, then Duchess of Cornwall, during the 2017 Royal Tour of Canada.
The Queen Consort (formerly Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall) was born Camilla Rosemary Shand on July 17, 1947, in London, England. Her parents were Rosalind Shand and Major Bruce Shand. A Second World War hero, Major Shand was also deputy lord lieutenant of East Sussex, The Queen Elizabeth II's official representative in the county.
On this page
- Early life and education
- Marriage and family
- Charitable work and military appointments
- Tours of Canada
- Becoming Queen Consort
- Other resources
Early life and education
Her Majesty grew up on a country estate in Sussex and attended Queen's Gate School in London. She also attended Mon Fertile school in Switzerland and studied at the Institut Britannique in Paris.
After completing school, Her Majesty moved to London. In 1965, she made her official debut in London society.
Marriage and family
On July 4, 1973, Her Majesty married Brigadier Andrew Parker Bowles, an army officer. They had 2 children, Thomas Henry, born in 1974, and Laura Rose, born in 1978. The marriage was dissolved in 1995.
His Majesty King Charles III, then Prince of Wales, and Mrs. Parker Bowles (as The Queen Consort was then known) announced their engagement on February 10, 2005.
The couple was married at the Guildhall in Windsor on April 9, 2005, in a civil ceremony. A prayer service and a reception followed at Windsor Castle.
Charitable work and military appointments
The Queen Consort, then Duchess of Cornwall, meets with members of The Queen’s Own Rifles during the 2017 Royal Tour of Canada.
The Queen Consort supports her husband, His Majesty The King, in carrying out his work and duties. She also undertakes public engagements on behalf of the charities that she supports. Her charity work is varied but several themes prevail: health and wellbeing, promoting literacy and the arts, advocating for animal welfare, and supporting survivors of sexual assault.
Royal patronages and military designations do not automatically transfer when members of the Royal Family step into new roles. New or renewed requests for The Queen Consort or other members of the Royal Family to become patron of a Canadian organization should be submitted to the Office of the Secretary of the Governor General, which will forward positive recommendations to Buckingham Palace for consideration.
Tours of Canada
The Queen Consort, then Duchess of Cornwall, and His Majesty King Charles III, then Prince of Wales, are greeted by Indigenous leaders from across the Northwest Territories in Dettah during the 2022 Royal Tour of Canada.
The Queen Consort has a family connection to Canada dating back to the 19th century. Her Majesty is related to Sir Allan Napier MacNab, who served as Premier of the Province of Canada from 1845 to 1856. MacNab lived in a magnificent home, Dundurn Castle, part of Dundurn National Historic Site in Hamilton, Ontario.
The Queen Consort’s first official visit to Canada was in 2009. She has since participated in 5 Royal Tours of Canada, including the 2022 Royal Tour, one of the many ways Canada celebrated Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.
Becoming Queen Consort
On September 8, 2022, upon the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and His Majesty King Charles III’s accession to the Throne, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall became Her Majesty The Queen Consort.
On May 6, 2023, Canada and the Commonwealth celebrated the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty The Queen Consort. Learn more about Canadian celebrations of His Majesty King Charles III’s Coronation.
Other resources
- The Canadian Encyclopedia: Camilla, Queen Consort
- The Queen Consort (official website of the British Monarchy)
- Canadian celebrations of His Majesty King Charles III’s Coronation
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