Once famously dubbed 'London's best - and busiest - lover' and the inspiration for the philandering Rupert Campbell-Black in Jilly Cooper's novel Rivals, Andrew Parker-Bowles has, at the age of 86, embraced a new and more respectable position as a right-hand man to the British royal family. This shift was highlighted on Tuesday afternoon when he represented Princess Anne at the memorial service for Field Marshal Lord Guthrie at the Guards' Chapel in London, stepping in for the Princess Royal on multiple occasions.
A Complex Web of Royal Relationships
Andrew Parker-Bowles and Princess Anne share a long history as old friends, with their connection dating back to a brief romantic fling in the early 1970s. At just 19 years old, Princess Anne embarked on a relationship with Andrew after a chance meeting at Royal Lodge, the Queen Mother's Windsor home, where he served as adjutant in the Blues and Royals regiment. This affair, later dramatised in season three of The Crown with a post-sex Bloody Mary scene, was intense despite Andrew's reputation as a practiced seducer and their age difference.
Many royal observers believe this liaison fueled Camilla's determination to seduce Prince Charles out of revenge: if Andrew could have the Queen's daughter as his lover, she would pursue Her Majesty's son. While Camilla easily attracted Charles, she was said to be truly in love with Andrew, whose Catholic faith made him unsuitable as a husband for Princess Anne. The relationship ended when Andrew was posted to Germany, leading to his reunion with Camilla. They married in July 1973 at the Guards Chapel in Wellington Barracks, Central London, with the Queen Mother, Princess Anne, and Princess Margaret in attendance.
Enduring Bonds and Loyal Friendships
Despite divorcing after 22 years of marriage, Queen Camilla has maintained a strong and close friendship with Andrew Parker-Bowles. He received a special invitation to her coronation in May 2022, underscoring their enduring connection. Insiders describe them as 'joined at the hip,' constantly in touch and functioning as a great team. Author Tina Brown has claimed that Andrew, rather than Charles, was the love of Camilla's life, referring to him as 'a walking pink gin' and one of her chief confidantes.
The Marchioness of Lansdowne, one of Camilla's Queen's Companions, noted, 'Everybody loves Andrew. He's a real charmer but he's always terribly misbehaving.' She highlighted their bond, explaining that they openly critique each other's actions, maintaining a solid family ethic that benefits their children and grandchildren.
A Life Steeped in Royal Service
Known as 'The Brigadier' due to his army career with the Blues and Royals, which included a Queen's Commendation for Bravery in Zimbabwe, Andrew Parker-Bowles has been immersed in royal circles for decades. At 13, he served as a page to Lord Simonds at Queen Elizabeth II's coronation, recalling sword fights during rehearsals and receiving cufflinks as a gift. He played polo with a young Prince Charles and rode in the 1969 Grand National, finishing 11th.
His marriage to Camilla was reportedly pressured by their fathers, who published an engagement notice in The Times. According to his cousin John Bowes Lyon, Camilla was deeply in love with Andrew, and her parents strongly supported the union. However, the marriage faced challenges, with royal author Penny Junor noting Andrew's frequent infidelities in London, where his regiment was based. Richard Kay of the Daily Mail wrote in 2017 that Andrew's affairs were often with friends of Camilla, though she rarely spoke about them, and their home atmosphere remained untroubled.
Later Years and Continued Influence
Andrew and Camilla divorced in 1995, citing separate lives, and he later married his long-term mistress Rosemary Pitman, who passed away from cancer in 2010. Camilla was reportedly 'deeply saddened' by Rosemary's death. Andrew attended Charles and Camilla's wedding blessing in 2005 at St George's Chapel, Windsor, demonstrating his ongoing role within royal circles.
Today, at 86, Andrew Parker-Bowles continues to be a loyal friend and aide, seamlessly transitioning from a notorious lover to a trusted figure in the royal family. His story reflects the intricate and often scandalous dynamics of British aristocracy, yet highlights how time has forged enduring bonds of friendship and service.
