Who is Queen Camilla’s ‘co-conspirator’ ex-husband? Meet Andrew Parker Bowles, her close friend who played polo with King Charles and even served as a page at Queen Elizabeth’s coronation

Apr 30 , 2023

Camilla and Andrew Parker Bowles are still close friends to this day. Photo: Getty Images

Andrew Parker Bowles may have been married to Camilla once but his ties to the British royal family go way back – he played polo with King Charles during their youth and dated Princess Anne briefly

The 83-year-old military man shares 2 kids with Camilla, Laura Lopes and Tom Parker Bowles and his parents were also friends with the queen mother – plus, he’ll be at King Charles’ coronation

The coronation of Charles III and his wife Camilla as king and queen consort on May 6 will draw the attention of millions of people. According to CBS News, around 2,000 guests have been invited to witness the historic service at Westminster Abbey.

One surprise invite is that of Andrew Parker Bowles, the queen consort’s ex-husband. Camilla, 75, and Andrew, 83, split after being married for 22 years back in 1995. Although the couple’s relationship made global headlines after Camilla was named as the “other woman” in the marriage between Prince Charles and Princess Diana, Camilla and her first husband have remained firm friends. While Camilla is cementing her name in the history books as the queen consort, it is her ex-husband’s ties to the royal family that go back years.

Camilla Parker Bowles (centre) and her then-husband Andrew Parker Bowles (left) leave the New London Theatre with the then-Prince of Wales (right), in 1975. Photo: AP

Here’s what you need to know about the man who captured Camilla’s heart and in many ways continues to share it with the now king of England:

A true military man

Andrew Parker Bowles served in the military for decades. Photo: Getty Images

Parker Bowles attended the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and served in the military for 34 years. He reached the position of brigadier and according to British media, his nickname among those who are close to him is “Brigadier”. He was awarded The Queen’s Commendation for Bravery in Rhodesia in 1980 and the OBE (Military) in 1982. He received army sporting colours in athletics and polo, and completed The Grand National (a national hunt horse race) in 1969.

Camilla and the “forced engagement”

Andrew Parker Bowles and Camilla Shand got married in 1973. Photo: Getty Images

According to Town & Country, Parker Bowles and Camilla met in the late 1960s. They dated on and off for several years, in between her relationship with then-Prince Charles. It was widely reported that pressure was mounting on Parker Bowles to propose after being romantically linked to Camilla for years. The story goes that Parker Bowles’ father Derek and Camilla’s father, Bruce Shand, colluded to get their children to cement their relationship.

They apparently published an engagement notice in The Times for Camilla and Parker Bowles, forcing the Brigadier’s hand. The ploy seemingly worked and Parker Bowles proposed to Camilla. At the time, then-Prince Charles was away in the Royal Navy and Camilla accepted the proposal, per Insider. The couple have two children together, Laura Lopes and Tom Parker Bowles.