As the royal family prepares for the highly-anticipated coronation of King Charles, an unexpected guest has been revealed to be attending.
Camilla’s ex-husband, Andrew Parker Bowles, will be present for the coronation in Westminster Abbey in May, as he remains “joined at the hip” with his ex-wife.
Andrew and Camilla were married for 22 years before they divorced in 1995.
Andrew went on to marry Rosemary Pitman the following year, who died from breast cancer in 2010, while Camilla married the then-Prince of Wales in 2005.
Ever since their divorce, the couple have remained close.
A friend of Parker Bowles told The Sunday Times, “He arranges so much for her. They have lunch together the whole time. He’s right in there. He was always, and still is, Camilla’s co-conspirator.”
One of Camilla’s Queen Companions, the Marchioness of Lansdowne said everyone “loves Andrew” and that he’s a “real charmer but he’s always terribly misbehaving”.
She added, “Through adversity they’ve kept a really good family ethic. It helps with their children and grandchildren.”
Parker Bowles was unfaithful to Camilla during their marriage, and their friends describe the retired army officer as “a bit of a rogue” and “very naughty”.
He remains close, however, with several members of the royal family, including Princess Anne with whom he had a brief romance.
Parker Bowles has attended both of Charles’ weddings, including to Princess Diana in July 1981 when he accompanied the then-Prince and Princess of Wales’s carriages on horseback after the ceremony.
Parker Bowles was also present at Charles and Camilla’s wedding in 2005, attending the ceremony with Pitman.
Camilla and Andrew have two children together, Tom Parker Bowles, who is King Charles’ godson, and Laura Lopes, who have given the former couple five grandchildren.
Image credits: Getty Images
This article first appeared on Over60.