# Dopers weigh in: What did/does the Prince of Wales see in Camilla Parker-Bowles? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 27, 2003, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-weigh-in-what-did-does-the-prince-of-wales-see-in-camilla-parker-bowles/184715 "2003-06-27T06:41:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lizard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@Lizard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lizard)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-weigh-in-what-did-does-the-prince-of-wales-see-in-camilla-parker-bowles/184715/1 "2003-06-27T06:41:33Z")
I’m a little unclear whether or not they had started to see one another before Prince Charles’ marriage had gone south, or did so _because_ the marriage was emotionally dead. My guess is that Bowles, who was closer to Charles’ age, was a woman he could relate to better on a personal level. Diana was 19 when they married, and he 31. That’s a pretty serious generational gap in this day and age. ---
**Author:** ![One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/838e76/32.png) [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/One_And_Only_Wanderers)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-weigh-in-what-did-does-the-prince-of-wales-see-in-camilla-parker-bowles/184715/2 "2003-06-27T09:48:16Z")
By all I understand, they have had a thing since BEFORE he was married, but she was an unacceptable match for the Heir, being divorced and all. ---
**Author:** ![PhillySteak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f6c823/32.png) [@PhillySteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillySteak)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-weigh-in-what-did-does-the-prince-of-wales-see-in-camilla-parker-bowles/184715/3 "2003-06-27T10:26:12Z")
She makes him look good when he stands beside her. In the immortal words of Harry Enfield, “Oi, 'Orse Features. Noooooo!!!” Philly ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-weigh-in-what-did-does-the-prince-of-wales-see-in-camilla-parker-bowles/184715/4 "2003-06-27T10:40:39Z")
Eh? She’s a handsome, intelligent woman with whom he has had a long-standing association. No more mysterious than any other attraction, as far as I can tell. At the risk of being crass and insensitive, I’d guess that the whole not-being-bulimic thing adds a few points to her attractiveness-index, too. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-weigh-in-what-did-does-the-prince-of-wales-see-in-camilla-parker-bowles/184715/5 "2003-06-27T12:37:48Z")
Or you could ask what in the heck does she see in him (aside from the chance to sit in one of those nifty royal thrones some day). ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-weigh-in-what-did-does-the-prince-of-wales-see-in-camilla-parker-bowles/184715/6 "2003-06-27T12:38:44Z")
Hear, hear. I’d like to know what he saw in Diana—she wasn’t _that_ pretty, and she was (at least when they first married) a rather thick, uneducated, giggly schoolgirl. He and Camilla should have married back in the '70s, I’ll bet she would be hugely popuar with the public had that happened. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-weigh-in-what-did-does-the-prince-of-wales-see-in-camilla-parker-bowles/184715/7 "2003-06-27T12:56:40Z")
Diana actually WAS that pretty. Believe it or not, she actually did not photograph very well; I saw her in person, and I was amazed at how much more pretty she was than I had been led to believe. I never thought much of her until I actually saw her live. Stunningly beautiful. ---
**Author:** ![GoldenGael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8edcca/32.png) [@GoldenGael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GoldenGael)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-weigh-in-what-did-does-the-prince-of-wales-see-in-camilla-parker-bowles/184715/8 "2003-06-27T14:44:07Z")
I think his attraction to her is perfectly understandable. He met her when she was already a mature, and probably very charming woman, and she was pretty good-looking in her youth (in a horsey, British, sort of way). It was probably the first fulfilling relationship he had ever had, and he’s never forgotten it. She seems genuinely to like him, and I’m sure she doesn’t find terminally jaw-lockingly boring the sort of public ceremonies a Royal Personage must perform year in, year out. It seems the relationship was never completely broken off. She is a very attractive woman, she seems witty and can make him laugh, is almost always smiling and has a wonderful smile (again, in that horsey, British sort of way). She appears buxom, with a saucy bottom as well, as **Larry Mudd** has previously observed, sorta. She appears to have eschewed obvious and extensive plastic surgery – for which I give her a great deal of credit, even admiration. She seems quite comfortable in her own skin. Even her teeth are bad – well, she is _British_, after all. I’m sure she brings all these features – and talents – into the sack with her. In short, even though she doesn’t take a particularly good photograph, she’s probably a hell of a woman. ---
**Author:** ![Isabelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b5a626/32.png) [@Isabelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isabelle)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-weigh-in-what-did-does-the-prince-of-wales-see-in-camilla-parker-bowles/184715/9 "2003-06-27T14:45:40Z")
Did you know that Prince Charles has a toilet seat collection? (serious) Well there you have it! That is what Camilla wants from him. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-weigh-in-what-did-does-the-prince-of-wales-see-in-camilla-parker-bowles/184715/10 "2003-06-27T15:03:39Z")
The question posed is “What does (he) see in (her)?”. Answer: her tonsils when she smiles. What, too critical? ---
**Author:** ![Caricci](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85f322/32.png) [@Caricci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caricci)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-weigh-in-what-did-does-the-prince-of-wales-see-in-camilla-parker-bowles/184715/11 "2003-06-27T15:08:39Z")
When they first knew one another, she was not considered unsuitable. He just took too long deciding where the relationship was going and she didn’t wait around. Now she is unsuitable because she is divorced. He probably should have just married her in the first place. She was far more attractive in her youth than now, but who isn’t. And while she’s no Diana in the looks department, she’s not terrible for a woman her age. ---
**Author:** ![curly\_chick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ba0ec/32.png) [@curly\_chick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curly_chick)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-weigh-in-what-did-does-the-prince-of-wales-see-in-camilla-parker-bowles/184715/12 "2003-06-27T15:33:53Z")
Charles and Camilla Shand met when they were both in their early twenties and she comes from a family with a very long and close association with the Royal family. Her great great great grandmother was Alice Keppel, the most famous mistress of Charles’s great grandfather, Edward VII. It is pretty well documented that she pointed this out to him when they first met and said “So, how about it?” I seem to remember reading that he was having a high old time jetting about the world meeting the most glamourous and fantastic women, as he was the world’s most eligible bachelor. Apparantly she was at home, getting a bit chessed off waiting for him and when Andrew Parker Bowles asked her to marry him she said yes. I reckon he should have married her at the time, but I think the powers that be weren’t too disappointed that they didn’t get married because in the seventies she was a bit of a wild child and probably didn’t match up to the exacting virginity clause. I’d imagine that if they were ever to get married, she would not be called Queen Camilla, always supposing Charles _ever_ accedes the throne, because there seems to be a bit of a knee jerk reaction to that title. Maybe it’s because this Queen has been there so long, or maybe it is the pro-Diana brigade, or maybe there are other forces at work. But the Royal family can make up whatever title they like - eg: The Queen Mother - and the spin doctors will no doubt already have contingency plans. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-weigh-in-what-did-does-the-prince-of-wales-see-in-camilla-parker-bowles/184715/13 "2003-06-27T16:05:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Caricci \* > \*\*She was far more attractive in her youth than now, but who isn’t. And while she’s no Diana in the looks department, she’s not terrible for a woman her age. \*\* Until just now, I didn’t really know what Camilla Parker-Bowles looked like. She is spoken of as though she is frighteningly ugly, so I was expecting the worst. So I Googled for a few pictures of CPB. She’s not at all off-putting, taking her age and her lack of plastic surgery into account. It’s hard for me to say she’s “pretty” … actually, the word “handsome” seems to fit just right. I’d be interested to see a picture of her from the 1970s, for curiosity’s sake. ---
**Author:** ![Peg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b38774/32.png) [@Peg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peg)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-weigh-in-what-did-does-the-prince-of-wales-see-in-camilla-parker-bowles/184715/14 "2003-06-27T16:39:48Z")
I have heard that both Camilla and Prince Charles are better looking in person. Having seen neither, I can’t vouch for that. Still… is there something wrong with wanting to be with someone who is intelligent, attractive, funny, and confident but not a knockout? Most people asking this question seem to focus only on the physical aspects. IIRC, Prince Charles was originally set up with Diana’s older sister. When that didn’t pan out, in came Diana or something like that. While she is inherently attractive (nice skin, features), a good stylist also does wonders. ---
**Author:** ![MaddyStrut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dbc845/32.png) [@MaddyStrut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaddyStrut)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-weigh-in-what-did-does-the-prince-of-wales-see-in-camilla-parker-bowles/184715/15 "2003-06-27T17:21:07Z")
I always had the impression Charles and Camilla had a lot of common interests and enjoyed the same horsey/country pastimes. Sometimes you fall for the person you have fun with. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-weigh-in-what-did-does-the-prince-of-wales-see-in-camilla-parker-bowles/184715/16 "2003-06-27T17:34:28Z")
Nitpick-Edward VII was Charles’s _great_-great-grandfather. 😉 I don’t hate Diana, but I’m tired of Diana Worship. ---
**Author:** ![Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Violet)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-weigh-in-what-did-does-the-prince-of-wales-see-in-camilla-parker-bowles/184715/17 "2003-06-27T18:49:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Peg \* > \*\*I have heard that both Camilla and Prince Charles are better looking in person. Having seen neither, I can’t vouch for that. Still… is there something wrong with wanting to be with someone who is intelligent, attractive, funny, and confident but not a knockout? Most people asking this question seem to focus only on the physical aspects… While she is inherently attractive (nice skin, features), a good stylist also does wonders. \*\* Amen! 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Janx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Janx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Janx)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-weigh-in-what-did-does-the-prince-of-wales-see-in-camilla-parker-bowles/184715/18 "2003-06-27T19:18:45Z")
I’m sorry, she just looks to much like David Bowie to suit my taste. Maybe that is what Charles likes about her? ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-weigh-in-what-did-does-the-prince-of-wales-see-in-camilla-parker-bowles/184715/19 "2003-06-27T19:42:55Z")
> [@](#): > > **GoldenGael** : She appears buxom, with a saucy bottom as well, as Larry Mudd has previously observed, sorta. Hey, I _have_ previously observed that-- but I didn’t say anything out loud about it. How do you _do_ that? Spooky! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-weigh-in-what-did-does-the-prince-of-wales-see-in-camilla-parker-bowles/184715/20 "2003-06-27T20:35:42Z")
Diana was procured as a young, 19 year old breeding machine and she had serious emotional stability issues even without the added stress of being the Princess. Prince Charles, whatever his moral failings, is/was, from an intellectual perspective, a reasonably well read and fairly intelligent (when the big head was doing the thinking) person and Princess Diana was neither and Bowles was both. Whoever vetted the 19 year old Diana as the main chance for royal continuity should probably have been shot. She was not suited to be a part of the “royal machine” by emotional maturity, intelligence, education, temperment or the capacity for good judgement in stressful situations. She was attractive and I’m sure he had kind feelings for her early on, but in the end her primary duty from Charles’ and the royal household’s perspective was to make babies, keep a reasonably reserved proifile and stay out of trouble. Charles wanted his sons, his princess and his mistress and (apparently) no one ever clued in Diana that Bowles was going to be part of the deal. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-weigh-in-what-did-does-the-prince-of-wales-see-in-camilla-parker-bowles/184715.md?page=2)