After an occasionally controversial and years-long relationship, then-Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles were officially married 21 years ago, on April 9, 2005. It was a very intimate event with only 28 guests, including Charles’ sons Prince William and Prince Harry, Camilla’s children Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes, and Charles’ siblings, Princess Anne, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor (then known as Prince Andrew), and Prince Edward. But unlike some family weddings, the groom’s mother and father were absent, a situation even more notable as his parents were Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip.
The future king’s marriage ceremony was held at Windsor Guildhall, a structure near the Windsor Castle estate, but just outside its boundaries. As both Charles and Camilla had been divorced, the ceremony was a civil one, not one held inside a church. That detail explains why Queen Elizabeth was not in attendance: As the Supreme Governor of the Church of England (a constitutional role that is distinct from its spiritual leader, the Archbishop of Canterbury), the queen considered it inappropriate to attend the civil wedding of two people who had previously divorced their respective spouses.
Charles and Camilla on their wedding day
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That is not to say, however, that Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip were opposed to the union. In fact, both attended a subsequent blessing held for the couple at St. George’s Chapel inside the estate, and also hosted a reception in their honor.
As she marked the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne, Queen Elizabeth made her support for the couple plain in an address to her subjects. “This anniversary also affords me a time to reflect on the goodwill shown to me by people of all nationalities, faiths and ages in this country and around the world over these years,” she said, adding, “I would like to express my thanks to you all for your support. I remain eternally grateful for, and humbled by, the loyalty and affection that you continue to give me.”
“And when, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King,” she continued, “I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me; and it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service.”
