What will happen to the British colonies in the reign of Charles?
2:25
London (CNN) --
With her husband's accession to the throne following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday, Camilla has become queen consort and will take on a new and more prominent role alongside King Charles III.
Just over 25 years after the death of Charles's first wife, Diana, Princess of Wales, Camilla remains a divisive figure in Britain.
Since she and Charles married in 2005, Camilla has worked hard as a senior royal, supporting Charles and championing charities that help women and children.
But many people find it hard to forget or forgive their long relationship and the pain it caused Diana.
Netflix's drama "The Crown" has brought that turbulent period into focus in recent seasons, introducing some viewers to Camilla and reminding others of her past.
So what can we expect from Britain's new queen consort?
advertising
Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles are seen together in late 1979 before his marriage to Diana. (Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
What we know about Camilla, the queen consort of the United Kingdom
Born Camilla Shand in July 1947, she grew up in the English countryside, where she developed a passion for horses.
He reportedly met Prince Charles at a polo match in Windsor in 1970 and they became friends.
The following year, Charles joined the Royal Navy and, while he was away, Camilla married cavalry officer Andrew Parker Bowles.
The couple had two children during the 1970s.
Carlos married Lady Diana Spencer in 1981 in a seemingly fairytale ceremony watched by millions of people around the world.
But he admitted in 1994 that he had had an extramarital affair with Camilla.
Diana confirmed the infidelity and her own the following year during an explosive interview with the BBC when she said: "There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded."
Camilla divorced Andrew Parker Bowles in 1995. Charles and Diana divorced the following year and Camilla all but disappeared from public life as public and media support rallied behind the princess.
The pro-Diana and anti-Camilla sentiment was compounded by widespread sympathy for Diana after she was killed in a car accident in Paris in 1997.
Prince Charles is seen talking to Camilla Parker Bowles at a polo match in Cirencester Park, England, in July 1975. (Credit: Shutterstock)
In 1999, Clarence House embarked on a program to reintroduce Camilla to the public, with a carefully orchestrated first appearance by Carlos outside the Ritz Hotel in London.
Camilla moved into Clarence House to be with Carlos and her name began to appear on official documents.
Six years later, their decades-long love affair climaxed when they were married in Windsor, with the Queen Mother's consent.
Camilla, now known as Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall, was confirmed as Charles's official consort and future Queen of the United Kingdom.
Camilla's role in the Royal family and with Carlos
The Duchess launched into life as a senior royal supporting Charles on official engagements in the UK and on tours abroad, despite his deep fear of flying.
She quickly became an asset to the royal family and the British government with her common touch and her ability to diffuse tension in a room.
"It's always good to have someone on your side," Prince Charles told CNN in 2015. "She's very supportive. The good thing is that we laugh a lot because she sees the funny side of life, thank God. Yes you can imagine, that adds a lot to the whole thing."
Camilla also defined her own royal role by championing causes close to her heart, such as children's literacy and supporting victims of domestic violence.
She told CNN during a visit to a women's shelter in Bristol, England, in 2017 that she was able to use her position to highlight the plight of "courageous women" who suffered at the hands of her partners.
"Seeing is believing, hearing is believing," she said.
Charles and his wife Camilla pose in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle after their wedding ceremony on April 9, 2005 in Windsor, England. (Credit: Hugo Burnand/Pool/Getty Images)
The Duchess has also worked to raise awareness of osteoporosis, a disease that affected both her mother and grandmother.
"She is deeply moved by it," Prince Charles told CNN in 2015.
She added: “I think he has done wonderful things with the whole issue of violence against women, rape and sexual violence.
I think he's been pretty remarkable with what he's done on that front.
And then again with all her literacy work because she's crazy about reading and her father was a great reader and I think he encouraged her in that way, so she devours books of all kinds."
"I'm so proud of her and in the midst of everything she tries to support me, which is wonderful of her," Carlos said.
As Camilla's family grew, a new passion developed: grandchildren.
"She's a professional grandmother," one of her advisers told CNN in 2013.
Queen consort
The moment her husband became king, Camilla automatically became queen.
However, it was long thought that she would not use the title, as Clarence House issued a statement in 2005 saying that she would be known as "Princess Consort" instead.
Some in the palace at the time felt that the public was not ready for Camilla to take a title that was meant for Diana.
But over the years, attitudes towards Camilla have softened.
In 2015, a CNN poll found that one in four Britons liked her more and fewer people opposed her being known as queen.
Then, in February 2022, the queen used the historic milestone of her Platinum Jubilee to give the Duchess of Cornwall her blessing to be known as queen when the time came.
In a message marking the 70th anniversary of his accession to the British throne, he said: "When in the fullness of time my son Charles becomes king, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me." given; and it is my sincere wish that when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her loyal service."
In response, a spokesman for Carlos and Camilla said they were "moved and honored by Her Majesty's words."
It was a very significant intervention by the monarch, the only person who can define royal titles.
Elizabeth's move to future-proof the monarchy emphasized that Camilla was no longer seen, either publicly or within the palace walls, as the royal mistress, but as a central figure at the very heart of "the firm."
Charles III Elizabeth II