Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (née Shand, formerly Parker Bowles, born 17 July 1947) is the second wife of Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, the heir apparent to the thrones of 16 independent states. Since her marriage to the Prince of Wales, Camilla has been legally entitled to the style and title of Princess of Wales,[2] though she uses one of her other titles Duchess of Cornwall in all parts of the United Kingdom except Scotland, where she is titled as Duchess of Rothesay.[3] This preference of title reflects a desire to avoid confusion with the title closely identified in part of the 1980s and 1990s with the Prince of Wales's first wife, Diana, Princess of Wales.
A long-time friend and supporter of Prince Charles, Camilla was herself also previously married, and had two children during the union. She entered the public consciousness when it was revealed that she had become the Prince of Wales' mistress while they were both married and after their respective marriages had broken down. Following Charles and Diana's divorce, Clarence House (Charles' household) advised on Camilla's public relations, and she gradually became a significant part of royal life. Today, she supports the Prince of Wales in his official duties, and carries out engagements of her own, mostly associated with the 40 or so charities of which she is President or Royal Patron.
