Andrew Parker Bowles, ex-husband of Camilla, the new Queen Consort of the United Kingdom, has recently made headlines for representing her at a funeral.
But who is Andrew Parker Bowles, and what is his connection to the royal family? Here’s what we know.
Also read | Who is Camilla, Queen Consort of England?
Who is Andrew Parker Bowles?
Andrew Parker Bowles was born into a family with royal connections in December of 1939, and even served as a page at Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953. He went on to attend the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, and served in the military for 34 years, rising to the rank of brigadier and earning the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery in Zimbabwe.
Andrew Parker Bowles carried out a ‘royal duty’ on his ex-wife’s behalf https://t.co/8DmVurwLHp pic.twitter.com/V9uz2aLMf0
— Kaiser@Celebitchy (@KaiseratCB) October 21, 2022
Most famously, Andrew was married to Camilla, with whom he had two children, and who is now the Queen Consort of the United Kingdom. The couple’s society wedding in 1973 was attended by members of the royal family, including Princess Anne and Princess Margaret.
Andrew Parker Bowles, the Queen Consort’s first husband, is overseeing a major property development with intriguing military ties https://t.co/fZO7W5FQmg pic.twitter.com/9jWP1Vy12g
— Tatler (@Tatlermagazine) April 11, 2023
While the third season of The Crown suggested that Andrew had a relationship with Princess Anne, it is known that he remains a close friend of hers and is even the godfather of her daughter, Zara. Following his divorce from Camilla in 1995, he married Rosemary Pitman, who passed away in 2010.
Despite his previous marriage to the Queen Consort, Andrew continues to have a relationship with the royal family and has represented them at several funerals over the years. His recent appearance at a funeral representing Camilla drew attention from the media, and has sparked renewed interest in his past and his current relationship with the royal family.
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As the United Kingdom prepares for the coronation of King Charles, Andrew’s past connections to the royal family are sure to be a topic of discussion. However, it is clear that he remains a respected member of the community and a close friend of Princess Anne, who has long been a beloved member of the royal family in her own right.