Charles and Camilla: 10 Photos of the Couple in the 1990s Before They Were King and Queen (2024)

Royals

The couple first struck up a fling in 1970. After decades of scandals and scrutiny, they reunited and married in the early 2000s

Zoey Lyttle

Zoey Lyttle is an Editorial Assistant at PEOPLE. She writes digital specials across all entertainment verticals and has been working at PEOPLE since July 2022.

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Published on April 9, 2024 12:40PM EDT

Charles and Camilla: 10 Photos of the Couple in the 1990s Before They Were King and Queen (2)

King Charles and Queen Camilla are celebrating 19 years of marriage, but their love story dates back decades to before they wed in 2005.

They struck up a fling in 1970, and though distance, new loves and scandal pulled them apart, the pair rekindled their romance and publicly reunited in the '90s.

Over the years, both royals have reflected on their rocky past and the steadfast affection that carried them through it all. Despite the scrutiny and mass public interest surrounding them, Camilla, 76, and Charles, 75, continue to prove the depth of their connection on the throne today.

Way Back When

Charles and Camilla: 10 Photos of the Couple in the 1990s Before They Were King and Queen (3)

Though they didn't marry until 2005, then-Prince Charles first sparked a romance with a young Camilla in 1970, when they were introduced by a mutual friend. They called off their relationship with Charles set off to join the Navy, and didn't reunite for several years.

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Smitten at First Sight

Charles and Camilla: 10 Photos of the Couple in the 1990s Before They Were King and Queen (4)

In her book The duch*ess: The Untold Story, Penny Junor detailed how Charles was immediately taken with Camilla during the earliest days of their relationship.

"He loved the fact that she smiled with her eyes as well as her mouth, and laughed at the same silly things as he did," Junor wrote in her biography of the current Queen Consort. "He also liked that she was so natural and easy and friendly, not in any way overawed by him, not fawning or sycophantic. In short, he was very taken with her, and after that first meeting he began ringing her up."

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Back Together

Charles and Camilla: 10 Photos of the Couple in the 1990s Before They Were King and Queen (5)

The former flames reunited in the public eye following their respective divorces. Camilla split from her first husband, Andrew Parker Bowles, in 1995, and Prince Charles officially ended his marriage to Princess Diana in 1996.

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Grand Appearance

Charles and Camilla: 10 Photos of the Couple in the 1990s Before They Were King and Queen (6)

They waited until 1999 to make their first official appearance as a couple, finally stepping out together to celebrate Camilla's sister Annabel Elliot's birthday. Over 150 photographers waited outside the party at London's Ritz Hotel to capture Prince Charles and Camilla on their way out.

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One Big Family

Charles and Camilla: 10 Photos of the Couple in the 1990s Before They Were King and Queen (7)

During their first marriages, both Charles and Camilla became parents of two. The would-be King welcomed Prince William and Prince Harry, and Camilla became mom to daughter Laura and son Tom.

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Big Steps Forward

Charles and Camilla: 10 Photos of the Couple in the 1990s Before They Were King and Queen (8)

The world was well aware of the duo's rekindling by the time Camilla started consistently joining Charles during his royal engagements in 2002. The following year, she moved into his residence at Clarence House.

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Quality Time Together

Charles and Camilla: 10 Photos of the Couple in the 1990s Before They Were King and Queen (9)

They were also seen spending time at some of the royal countryside estates, including one getaway to Sandringham with friends in 2003.

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Rising Above It All

Charles and Camilla: 10 Photos of the Couple in the 1990s Before They Were King and Queen (10)

In a 2022 interview with British Vogue, Camilla opened up about her experience dating Charles in the '90s, when the world watched them become a public item again.

"It's not easy," she told the publication. "I was scrutinized for such a long time that you just have to find a way to live with it. Nobody likes to be looked at all the time and, you know, criticized … But I think in the end, I sort of rise above it and get on with it. You've got to get on with life."

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Tying the Knot

Charles and Camilla: 10 Photos of the Couple in the 1990s Before They Were King and Queen (11)

They married in the spring of 2005 with a relatively small ceremony at Windsor Guildhall, a town hall building near Windsor Castle.

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Royal Future

Charles and Camilla: 10 Photos of the Couple in the 1990s Before They Were King and Queen (12)

Prior to Queen Elizabeth's death, the former monarch shared her "sincere wish" for Camilla to step into the role of consort once Charles inherited the throne.

According to a royal insider, it was important that Queen Elizabeth formally appoint Camilla the title before Charles actually became King. The late ruler gave her approval in February 2022, during her Platinum Jubilee just months before her death.

"They couldn't wait until Charles was actually King — it had to come from the Queen herself," the palace source told PEOPLE at the time. "Now was a good time because of the Jubilee — it was almost tailor-made for this timing."