She wedded Andrew Parker Bowles in 1973

Duchess Camilla Young: How She Looked at Her 1st Wedding

Andrew Parker-Bowles and Duchess Camilla

Duchess Camilla is Prince Charles's second wife after Princess Diana. He and the Princess of Wales divorced in 1995, with Charles later marrying Camilla in 2005. But did you know she was also married before becoming the Duchess of Cornwall? This is what Camilla looked like when she first wedded Andrew Parker Bowles in 1973.

Duchess Camilla met Prince Charles at a polo game in 1970. Romance sparked between the pair, but Camilla wasn't viewed as a suitable partner for the future king of the UK. Despite breaking away soon after, their connection remained one for life.

Duchess Camilla young: Wedding pictures with Andrew Parker Bowles

In 1972, Charles was at sea for a few months. During this time, Camilla got engaged to the cavalry officer Andrew Parker Bowles. The wedding of Camilla and Andrew took place on July 4, 1973.

Duchess Camilla Young: First Wedding Pictures

At the time, Camilla was 26 years old. The future Duchess of Cornwall had already found her current style at the time, too. Even then, she went with a shoulder-length hairstyle — and she's remained remarkably consistent with her fashion over the years.

Also in attendance at the wedding were Princess Anne—a former romantic connection of Andrew Parker Bowles—and Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother—who had ties to the Parker Bowles family.

The Queen Mother and Princess Anne attend wedding of Andrew Parker Bowles and Camilla Shand in 1973.

Duchess Camilla: The affair with Prince Charles

Camilla's marriage to Andrew Parker Bowles was doomed despite having two children. Meanwhile, Charles and Camilla saw each other again and again. The affair between the two allegedly went on for years and had already started in the 1980s.

Lady Diana and Camilla Parker Bowles in 1981

When the news spread, the British were outraged because Charles had been married to Princess Diana since 1981. Famously, Diana was even quoted on a secret recording in 1991 saying she confronted Camilla about the affair. Then, in a 1995 BBC interview, Diana tearfully said: "Well, there were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded."

Like in 'The Crown'

Camilla and Diana: Did They Really Have Lunch Together?

Despite obstacles: Charles and Camilla have found each other

In 1995, the Parker Bowles couple divorced. A year later, Charles and Diana followed suit. After Diana's tragic death in 1997, rumours circulated that the Prince of Wales was ready to marry Camilla.

However, they got married eight years later, on April 9, 2005. The marriage was only carried out as a civil ceremony, as the Anglican Church refuses to give divorced couples a church wedding so long as their former spouses are still alive. Andrew Parker Bowles still lives today, turning 81 in December 2020.

Charles and Camilla celebrated 15 years married in 2020, and there's still speculation that the Duchess could become Queen when Charles ascends the throne.