Charles and Camilla FAQs

Kieron Lang, CTV.ca News

How long have Charles and Camilla been romantically entwined?

Charles and Camilla first crossed paths in 1970, after which they became friends and dated. But when the prince jumped into navy life, Camilla decided to marry someone else.

They became reacquainted in 1986, famously prompting Charles' then-wife Princess Diana to later complain that there were "three in the marriage."

The pair appeared together for the first time before the cameras in 1999, two years after Diana's death.

Another two years passed before the couple shared their first public kiss. Attending a charity event hosted by Parker-Bowles, Charles seized Camilla's arm and kissed her on both cheeks as cameras captured the moment.

What's the historic connection between Charles and Camilla?

Camilla's great-grandmother was Alice Keppel, the woman who famously enjoyed a passionate affair with Prince Charles's great-great-grandfather King Edward VII.

Early in their friendship, Camilla is said to have quipped to Charles something along the lines of: "our ancestors were lovers, why aren't we?"

What's stopped them from marrying sooner?

As a royal, Charles cannot simply marry whomever he wishes. Under the Royal Marriages Act of 1772, the Queen has final say on whether her relatives may wed.

Besides, being a royal is of little use if your people don't like you. So the pair have had to slowly sway public opinion to their side.

But above all, the Church of England -- of which Charles would become Supreme Governor if he becomes king -- is considered the wedding's biggest detractor.

The issues of divorce and divorcees remarrying remain divisive within the Church.

Why are they getting married now?

The slow pace of their public romance has reached the point where popular opinion appears to have turned in their favour.

Recent polls in the U.K. have found a growing number of Britons are in favour of the wedding. The majority remain opposed to Camilla becoming Queen, however.

Where does the Church of England stand on the wedding?

Not only is Charles the heir to the throne of Great Britain, but he is also a divorcee.

Because Prince Charles would become head of the Church of England - which is divided on divorce and remarriage - his marriage to another divorcee has been cause for considerable debate.

It's not clear whether the couple wanted to be married in church.

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams had given the wedding his approval, but the couple opted out of a church wedding.

The Prince divorced Diana Spencer after 15 years of marriage in 1996.

Camilla divorced the year before, ending her 12-year marriage to Andrew Parker Bowles.

Where are they tying the knot?

Charles and Camilla were to be married at Windsor Castle.

But they were forced to switch the ceremony to the Guildhall in Windsor, after it was discovered that once a licence for the castle was issued it would have lasted for three years. That would have meant anyone could apply to marry there.

Now the ceremony has been booked for Windsor's Guildhall.

What kind of wedding is it, exactly?

The couple will be married in a civil ceremony, then proceed to by a prayer service led by Archbishop of Canterbury Williams in St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.

The legality of an heir to the throne marrying in a civil ceremony has been hotly debated in Britain.

Why's the Queen not going to be there?

The Queen is hosting the reception and plans to attend the couple's dedication service, but she won't be a guest at the actual wedding ceremony.

According to Buckingham Palace, the Queen made her decision out of respect for the couple's wish for a low-key occasion.

Will Camilla be Queen?

After the wedding, Camilla will not take the title Princess of Wales. As that name conjures still-fresh memories of the beloved Princess Di, Camilla will instead use the title Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall.

Should Charles ascend to the throne, Clarence House says he will be king and Camilla will be known as the Princess Consort.

Can Camilla's children sit on the throne?

Camilla's two children, Tom and Laura, will not be joining the Royal line of succession. Prince Charles remains next in line, followed by his oldest son William. Any change to the order would need the approval of every Commonwealth member.

What happened to Camilla's ex-husband?

One year after he divorced, Colonel Andrew Parker Bowles married Virginia Pitman.