On 9 April 2005 Prince Charles married Camilla Parker-Bowles more than 30 years after their romance began.
The Royal couple appeared after their civil wedding ceremony at the Guildhall in Windsor, arm in arm smiling and waving to the estimated 20,000 people that gathered outside the Berkshire building.
Later, they returned to Windsor Castle for a mass of blessing conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Queen, Prince Philip and 800 of the couple’s friends and family attended the ceremony.
The Duchess wore an oyster silk basket-weave coat and chiffon dress for the ceremony at Guildhall. She changed into a porcelain blue silk dress for the blessing service.
Afterward, the newlyweds talked to some of those gathered outside the chapel.
Her Majesty hosted a gathering in Windsor Castle’s State Apartments.
According to comedian and guest Stephen Fry, The Queen let those gathered know she had an announcement to make: “The first is that the Grand National was won by Hedgehunter. Despite Becher’s Brook and The Chair and all kinds of other terrible obstacles my son has come through, and I’m very proud and wish them well.”
Along with members of The Royal Family, guests included foreign royals, eight governors-general, and leaders of the opposition parties.
Also attending were broadcaster Sir David Frost, musicians Phil Collins and Jools Holland and actors Joanna Lumley, Rowan Atkinson, Edward Fox, Kenneth Branagh, and Prunella Scales to name a few. Charles’s biographer Jonathan Dimbleby also attended.
Guests were served egg and cress sandwiches, mini Cornish pasties and scones.
After the reception, the pair then drove off in a Bentley decorated by Princes William and Harry. They spent their honeymoon in Scotland.
There is a quote, that really sums up that April day ten years ago: “When these vows are made by people who have been battered by life, they somehow have more force and impact than when they are made by people in their 20’s, when it’s easier to say such things,” novelist Robert Harris commented to The Daily Telegraph in 2005.
Say what you will about the past but it is simply that, the past. It is time to move forward. If Her Majesty were able to be accepting and move along with the times, perhaps others should follow her lead.
After ten years, Charles and Camilla proved time and time again their love and devotion to one another as well as their dedication to crown and country.
Featured photo credit: Andy Gott
too bad he couldn’t have married her first and saved everyone a lot of heartache
But then we wouldn’t have William, Harry, Kate, George and the upcoming little one!