Camilla's forgotten family who are 'set for starring roles' in Coronation

27 February 2023 , 15:21

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Camilla's forgotten family who are 'set for starring roles' in Coronation

The Coronation of King Charles is likely to see the Royal Family out in force for the historic spectacle at Westminster Abbey.

But it's not just Charles being crowned on May 6, his wife Queen Camilla will be too - and it has been reported that her sometimes forgotten family will be involved too.

Before marrying Charles, Camilla was previously married to Andrew Parker Bowles, with whom she had two children - Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes.

And their children Lola and Freddy Parker-Bowles and Eliza, Gus and Louis Lopes are her five beloved grandchildren, who mainly stay out of the public eye.

Camilla's grandchildren at the Garter ceremony at Windsor Castle last year (CAMERA PRESS/Mark Stewart)

Now the Sunday Times reports that Camilla has asked her grandchildren to hold a canopy over her as she is anointed with holy oil during a part of the ceremony. This role was previously performed by Duchesses.

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A royal source told the outlet: "It sends a nice signal and is quite a bold move. It is another example of the King and Queen Consort being unafraid to shake things up a bit to reflect the realities of modern life, of which a blended family is a central element."

But who are Camilla's children and grandchildren and what role does she play in their lives? Here we take a look...

Camilla's grandchildren

Lola Parker Bowles with brother Freddy and cousin Eliza Lopes

Camilla's five grandchildren have rarely been seen out in public with their grandmother - but one does have experience of taking a role in a huge royal event.

In 2011, 15-year-old Eliza was one of the bridesmaids at the wedding of the Prince and Princess of Wales - and during the balcony appearance after the nuptials, she was seen being held up by Charles.

But despite not being in the spotlight, Camilla has spoken out about her grandchildren several times in the past - and even revealed how they call her Gaga.

She has spoken about how she loves to read with the grandkids - a pastime that she is passionate about.

And one book she likes to sit down and read with them is the bestseller Gangster Granny, which charts the story of a granny who plots to steal the Queen's Crown Jewels from The Tower of London.

Camilla's granddaughter Eliza at the wedding of the Prince and Princess of Wales (PA)

But she's also embraced modern technology and says the youngsters have shown her the joys of texting and Tik Tok - and that she even does Wordle every day with one of her granddaughters.

However, she has said she sometimes tires of phones admitting in an interview with the Daily Mail she often tells them to "put their flipping phones away".

And summing up her feelings on being a grandmother, she once told Vogue: "You know the nice thing about being a grandmother is that you can spoil them occasionally, give them more of the things that their parents forbid them to have."

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Camilla's son

Camilla with son Tom and daughter Laura (Getty Images)

Camilla's oldest child is Tom Parker Bowles, who was born in London in December 1974, making him 48 years old.

Interestingly, one of his godfathers is King Charles - who later became his stepdad.

Tom is a well-known food writer and often appears on cookery shows. He has authored several books and published in magazines, including Conde Nast Traveller, GQ and Esquire.

In September 2005, months after his mother's wedding to Charles, Tom wed long-term girlfriend Sara Buys during a ceremony in Oxford. His children with her are Lola and Freddie.

Camilla with her children and former husband Andrew Parker Bowles (Getty Images Europe)

Tom and Sara split in 2018 and he later found love with journalist Alice Procope, who was a mum of three. However, tragically last year, she died at the age of 42 after a battle with cancer.

Tom, who was with Ms Procope for almost two years, is said to have been left devastated by the death.

A friend of his told the Daily Mail at the time: "Tom had been blissfully happy with Alice and is devastated that life can be so cruel."

Camilla's daughter

Camilla with her daughter Laura Lopes in 2016 (Getty Images)

Laura was born in Swindon, Wiltshire, in 1978 and is currently 45 years old.

She was educated at a Catholic girls boarding school in Dorset, and then studied History of Art and Marketing at Oxford Brookes University.

Before settling down, Laura worked as Tatler's motoring correspondent and then moved into the art world.

She first managed The Space Gallery in London and co-founded London's Eleven Gallery in 2005, where she was also a director.

Laura married chartered accountant Harry Lopes in Wiltshire in 2006. He went to Eton College and spent some time underwear modelling for Calvin Klein.

On their wedding day, Laura wore an Anna Valentine dress – the same designer worn by her mother when she married Prince Charles in 2005.

Both Prince William and Prince Harry were guests at her wedding and she attended both of their nuptials. Laura and Harry's children are Eliza, Gus and Louis.

Although Laura is not a royal, she could be in line to inherit two stately homes, as her husband Harry, the son of a baron, is set to take over Gnaton Hall in Devon, as well as the Skelpick estate in the Scottish Highlands.

Jennifer Newton