It started as a fleeting romance before developing into one of the world’s most talked-about affairs, with every detail of Camilla Parker Bowles’ private life laid bare for the world to devour. Yet, today, King Charles, 76, and Queen Camilla, 77, are regarded as one of the strongest partnerships – and love stories – to emerge in the Royal Family’s history.

A romance that many once believed would be the downfall of the monarchy has transformed into a binding relationship accepted and adored by royal courtiers, the public and even the late Queen Elizabeth. And as Charles and Camilla today celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary – not in private but on a State Visit to Italy – it is clearer than ever that Camilla is the King’s soulmate and rock. Even more importantly, she is the monarch’s best friend.

It has taken years of hard work, of course, and an irrepressible determination to change public perceptions. But as royal experts tell the Express, the couple who have been in one another’s lives for more than five decades have built a solid union grounded in mutual respect and understanding.

“King Charles and Queen Camilla are a rare couple: deeply connected yet fiercely independent,” notes royal author Robert Jobson. “They thrive as individuals as much as they do together, finding balance in their own interests and pursuits, but celebrate each other’s successes. Even in times apart, they remain in sync, their relationship built on deep-rooted understanding rather than constant proximity.

It is a relationship that has defined the modern monarchy and becomes more important with every day that passes. In many ways, their bond mirrors that of Queen Elizabeth II and her ‘strength and stay’ Prince Philip; the comfort and evident pride that exudes from them both whenever they are together is obvious.

His view is shared by the King’s former butler, Grant Harrold, who worked for Charles between 2004 and 2011. “They are a great team no matter what they’re faced with – and they’ve overcome a lot,” says Mr Harrold.

“Recently, we’ve seen more of them working as a team, which has been great to see because they bring great comedy value and have a brilliant shared sense of humour. [Camilla’s] an amazing support to Charles, especially now she’s had to step into a more significant role within the Firm.”

The King and Queen were first introduced in 1970 by their mutual friend, Lucia Santa Cruz, before regularly meeting at polo matches in Windsor. They became romantically involved in 1972, with their blossoming relationship strengthened by weekend escapes to Lord Mountbatten’s country home, Broadlands.

But everything changed when Charles departed for a six-month tour with the Royal Navy. A few short weeks later came the news that the-then Camilla Shand was engaged to Army officer Andrew Parker Bowles, with the pair marrying in July 1973. They soon had two children, Tom and Laura, and set up life in Wiltshire.

Very few will need reminding of what happened next as the future King married 20-year-old Lady Diana Spencer in a fairytale wedding at St Paul’s Cathedral in 1981. A marriage of suitability rather than one built on affection or love, the couple welcomed Prince William in 1982 and Prince Harry in 1984 but soon learnt just how little they had in common and quickly grew apart.

As dear friends who moved in the same social circles, it was claimed in Charles’ authorised biography, The Prince of Wales, by Jonathan Dimbleby, that Charles and Camilla’s affair restarted in 1986. The prince doubled down on this fact in his 1994 interview with the presenter, saying he had been faithful in his marriage to Diana “until it became irretrievably broken down, us both having tried”.

Their separation was announced in 1992 and they divorced four years later, but the future remained unclear for Charles and Camilla. Heartbreak followed in 1997 with Diana’s untimely death, leading to vilification for Camilla, who was painted as “the other woman”.

Looking at the confident woman the Queen is, it’s hard to believe how she survived the vile abuse that was thrown her way. She was at the centre of the marriage break-up of the century, endlessly compared to Diana and criticised for her appearance. But ultimately, the vitriol worked to show just one thing – that she had fallen totally in love with a man named Charles, who just happened to be the future King.

But happier times finally arrived in 1999 when the couple made their official debut as they left a birthday party for Camilla’s sister Annabel Elliot at The Ritz together in front of the waiting press. The moment was over in seconds, but its impact was long-lasting.

Later that year came Camilla’s solo visit to New York, which was carefully orchestrated by the couple’s “spin doctor”, PR expert Mark Bolland. It was ultimately a success, as the future Queen was lauded for her dignity, manners and poise.

After decades of scrutiny and criticism, true love prevailed when the couple finally made their vows in a civil ceremony at Windsor’s Guildhall, which was followed by a religious blessing at St George’s Chapel.

The wedding, however, wasn’t without complications – least of all, the need to change the date with little notice and last-minute objections by the Church of England.

There was also the question of Camilla’s future title and whether she would be Queen. “Mrs Parker Bowles will use the title HRH the Duchess of Cornwall after marriage,” a statement from 2005 read. “It is intended that Mrs Parker Bowles should use the title the Princess Consort when the prince accedes to the throne.”

By keeping their possibilities open, the palace could judge the situation nearer the time as feelings around Camilla’s position within the family were still raw.

“For anyone under the age of about 30, it must be almost impossible to appreciate how extraordinary it is that Charles and Camilla have been able to enjoy two decades of wedded bliss,” former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond says.

“Back in the Nineties, it seemed ludicrous to imagine that public opinion would ever allow them to live together, let alone marry and for Camilla to be crowned Queen.

“That they’ve been able to do so is testament to the deep love the King has for his wife and his stubborn refusal to bow to pressure and give her up.”

While she did not attend the civil ceremony, Queen Elizabeth II made a memorable speech during the reception at Windsor Castle – using her beloved horses as the perfect metaphor for the difficulties the newlyweds faced during their long courtship.

She said: “They have overcome Becher’s Brook and The Chair and all kinds of other terrible obstacles. They have come through and I’m very proud and wish them well. My son is home and dry with the woman he loves.”

The unusually sentimental tribute from Her Late Majesty invoked a sense of relief that Charles was, at long last, allowed to be with the woman he had loved for more than half his life. Fast forward to today and they are busier than ever, despite both reaching an age when they should be slowing down and putting their feet up.

In rare free moments, however, Ms Bond paints a romantic image of their lives together. “Today, they are like a comfy old pair of slippers: completely content in one other’s company and rather lost when they are apart. They are happy to sit together quietly, read their books, or giggle together over a private joke.

"Through good times – and recently through bad – Camilla has been the King’s greatest support and cheerleader. And he is immensely proud of the way she has taken on so much extra responsibility during his cancer treatment.”

While her credits are numeral, one of the Queen’s greatest achievements is the normality and realistic approach she brings.

“She’s a member of the Royal Family, but she’s not a royal,” Mr Harrold says. “She married into the family, but she’s like most other people, which means she can keep it real and relatable. Camilla has added a huge amount of value to this royal modernisation that we’re seeing – it’s a big part of what makes her so valuable.”

This sentiment was echoed by a senior palace official at the time of Their Majesties’ 2024 tour of Australia and Samoa. “The King gets great strength from the Queen’s presence, not least because she keeps it real,” they said.

Camilla’s sister, Annabel Elliot, who expertly refers to the King and Queen’s balanced pairing as “yin and yang” recently said she believes Camilla’s “really good sense of humour” is the secret binding ingredient to their successful relationship.

Another factor is the undeniably caring role Camilla has played during the King’s cancer recovery. As he descends from a legacy of the hardest working royals – with his father, Prince Philip, not retiring until the age of 96 and the late Queen working up until two days before her death – it is Camilla who helped ground him in the wake of the diagnosis as she would have reassured him that the public would understand that personal health trumps official appearances.

Just like with the King’s recent brief hospitalisation following his routine cancer treatment, he cancelled his scheduled engagements and travelled to his country bolthole, Highgrove House, for a deserved rest before his Italy trip.

With the King by her side, Camilla has expertly grown into her role, but credit for this transformation must also be shared by someone else.

“Their story took a defining turn when Queen Elizabeth II, in a move of strategic foresight, secured Camilla’s place in history,” Mr Jobson explains. “By welcoming her into the Privy Council and publicly expressing her hope that Camilla would be styled Queen Consort, the late Queen reshaped both royal tradition and public perception. Preempting any backlash. This moment silenced lingering doubts and cemented Camilla’s evolution from outsider to indispensable royal figure.”

Proving that her faith was not misplaced, Queen Camilla has built up a reputation as someone who fights to support victims of domestic abuse while championing other areas such as gender equality and literature. Even though they were not introduced for many years, the late Queen thoroughly warmed to her daughter-in-law and saw her for what she is: someone who is good at pouring oil on troubled water.

“She has claimed a place in public affections for one reason more than any other, and that is her obvious and complete love for King Charles,” Ms Bond previously said. “They have been together on and off, openly and secretly, for more than 50 years.

“They are besotted with one another; they belong together and probably feel wretched apart. It has been a long and complicated love story... but a love story it most certainly is.”