Camilla Parker Bowles, Duchess of Cornwall, admits her busy work schedule makes it “not easy” to spend time with Prince Charles – her husband of 17 years.
“Sometimes it’s not easy, but we always try to have a point in the day that we meet,” she told British Vogue of her routine with the future king.
“Sometimes it’s like ships going by at night, but we always sit down, have a cup of tea and talk about the day. We have a moment,” she continued. “It’s nice to exchange ideas when we have some time. You know, when we go away, the nicest thing is that we’re actually sitting in different corners of the same room reading our books. It’s very relaxing because you know you don’t have to talk. They just sit together and are together.”
Camilla, 74, and The Prince of Wales, 73, dated before both of them married other people, with Bowles marrying Andrew Parker Bowles, a British Army officer whom she divorced in 1995. They share children Tom, 47, and Laura, 44.
Camilla Parker Bowles says spending time with husband Prince Charles can be difficult. Getty Images
Prince Charles married Princess Diana in 1982 and 1984 respectively and welcomed sons William and Harry. The royals separated in 1992 and officially divorced in 1996 after both parties were unfaithful.
Camilla was mostly caught up in the middle of her drama, and many took sides, especially after Diana’s death in 1997.
The Duchess of Cornwall opened up about their relationship to British Vogue. WireImage
“It’s not easy,” she said of public backlash at the time. “I’ve been scrutinized for so long you just have to find a way to live with it. Nobody likes to be stared at and criticized all the time and… But I think in the end I kind of get over it and move on. You have to get on with life.”
The royals married in 2005. Tim Graham Photo Library via Get
Which she did, marrying Prince Charles in 2005 and taking her royal duties seriously ever since. She recently attended Royal Ascot with her husband in place of the Queen, who was unable to attend the event.
At the service, Camilla was formally recognized as the Royal Lady of the Garter six months after her appointment.
The couple attended Royal Ascot in place of The Queen. Samir Hussein
In February, the Queen officially endorsed Camilla as future Queen Consort, which will happen when Charles one day takes the throne.
At a royal engagement later that month, the Duchess said she was “very honored and very touched” by the gesture.