King Charles III and Queen Camilla each had their crowning moments Saturday as the United Kingdom celebrated the first coronation in 70 years.
As Charles and Camilla take on their next chapter together officially as king and queen, “Good Morning America” is taking a look back at the couple’s royal love story.
For decades, the two have remained side-by-side through turbulence, including navigating Charles’ divorce from the late Princess Diana, blending their two families and overcoming the less-than-popular public perception of their relationship.
On May 6, both Charles and Camilla assumed additional royal responsibilities and sovereign titles following a historic coronation ceremony — the first the U.K. has seen in 70 years.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla can be seen on the Buckingham Palace balcony ahead of the flypast during the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, May 06, 2023 in London.
Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
Below, see a timeline of Charles and Camilla’s relationship, through the years.
1970s: Then-Prince Charles and Camilla meet
Then-Prince Charles met Camilla Shand in the early 1970s. The two were reportedly introduced by a mutual friend at a polo match in Windsor Great Park.
“She was totally unfazed by all the trappings of monarchy. And also she had a wicked sense of humor,” said Robert Jobson, an ABC News royal contributor.
Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla Parker-Bowles rest after a polo match, circa 1972.
Serge Lemoine/Getty Images, FILE
After a brief dalliance, Charles and Camilla went their separate ways.
Camilla married Andrew Parker Bowles, an army officer, in 1973. The two welcomed their first child Tom Parker Bowles in December 1974 and Charles was named his godfather.
In this July 4, 1973, file photo, Andrew and Camilla Parker-Bowles pose after their wedding at the Guard’s Chapel, London, with members of the Horseguards present.
Frank Barratt/Getty Images, FILE
Camilla and Parker Bowles welcomed a daughter, Laura Parker Bowles, in 1978.
1980s: Charles and Camilla are in separate marriages
A then-32-year-old Charles married Princess Diana, who was 18 at the time, in the summer of 1981. The couple announced that fall that they were expecting their first child together.
Prince William was born in June 1982. Two years later, Prince Harry was born in September 1984.
In this Feb. 14, 1975, file photo, Camilla Parker-Bowles and Charles, Prince of Wales leave the New London Theater in Drury Lane after attending a show, in London.
Press Association via AP, FILE
Charles and Diana’s relationship quickly became rocky, and according to Charles’ authorized biography, he began an affair with Camilla in 1986.
Charles and Diana’s marital problems were reportedly exacerbated by rumors about his relationship with Camilla.
Externally, Camilla was vilified by both the British press and the public, often being blamed for the breakdown of Charles and Diana’s “fairytale” marriage.
In this Oct. 21, 1979, file photo, Prince Charles And Camilla Parker-Bowles walk with their friend Lady Sarah Keswick.
Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images, FILE
In a rare interview with British Vogue last summer, Camilla revealed how she coped with the scrutiny, saying she needed 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,” she said at the time.
1990s: Charles and Diana announce separation, Camilla and Andrew Parker Bowles divorce
In December 1992, Charles and Diana announced their separation and officially divorced a few years later in 1996.
Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer walk out after their wedding ceremony, at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, on July 29, 1981.
Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images, FILE
Camilla and Andrew Parker Bowles announced their divorce in 1995.
The same year as Camilla’s divorce, Charles and Camilla attended a party together for a mutual friend, and the pair were reportedly seen dancing together.
Diana was tragically killed in a car accident in Paris, France, two years later, on Aug. 31, 1997.
Andrew and Camilla Parker-Bowles with their son Tom Parker Bowles attend the Queen’s Cup polo match at Windsor, England, on June 7, 1992.
Mathieu Polak/Sygma via Getty Images, FILE
Charles and Camilla appeared together publicly for the first time in 1999 while leaving a birthday party for Camilla’s sister at the Ritz Hotel in London.
2000s: Charles and Camilla officially rekindle
Charles and Camilla moved into Clarence House, a royal residence in Westminster, London, in 2003. The couple announced their engagement two years later — 35 years after they first met — and were married in a civil ceremony on April 9, 2005.
Picture showing the front page of the weekly magazine New Idea dated Jan. 13, 1993, which published a transcript believed to be a taped conversation between Prince Charles and his friend of 20 years Camilla Parker-Bowles. Dubbed “Camillagate”, the tape was recorded on 1990 and was said to be the reason Princess Diana ended her marriage with Prince Charles.
Rick Rycroft/AFP via Getty Images, FILE
Following their marriage, Camilla gained the title of Duchess of Cornwall, and not the Princess of Wales title long associated with Diana.
Over the subsequent two decades, Charles and Camilla attended royal events together and supported Charles’ mother Queen Elizabeth II.
In this June 13, 2015, file photo, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Prince George of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Queen Elizabeth II stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping the Color, in London.
Max Mumby/Indigo via Getty Images, FILE
2022: Elizabeth says her wish is for Camilla to be known as queen consort
In February 2022, Elizabeth announced it was her “sincere wish” that Camilla take the title of queen consort when Charles took the throne.
Elizabeth died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on Sept. 8, 2022, at the age of 96.
Prince Charles And Camilla Parker-Bowles leave the Ritz Hotel in London after attending a 50th birthday party for Camilla’s sister, on Jan 28, 1999.
Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images, FILE
Charles subsequently ascended to the throne, becoming King Charles III, and Camilla officially adopted the title of queen consort.
King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort visit Talbot Yard Food Court on April 5, 2023, in Malton, England.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
2023: King Charles III and Queen Camilla are crowned
Charles and Camilla, who will use the title Queen Camilla, were crowned on May 6 in a historic coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla can be seen on the Buckingham Palace balcony ahead of the flypast during the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, May 06, 2023 in London.
Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
Britain’s King Charles III wearing the Imperial state Crown, and Britain’s Queen Camilla wearing a modified version of Queen Mary’s Crown chat on the Buckingham Palace balcony on May 6, 2023, after their coronations.
Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images
Both of Charles’ sons, William and Harry, attended the coronation.
ABC News’ Jaylene Lopez contributed to this report.
Source: abc news
