For two people who are obviously in love, who share all aspects of their everyday lives, such measures must seem ridiculously contrived. But as Charles has been aware all his life, he is no ordinary man, and this is no ordinary relationship. The expectations of him are many, and he is duty bound to both live and work within these confines. Camilla Parker Bowles is, of course, by now a more prominent figure in the lives of Prince Charles's children. She and Prince William first met in July 1998 during a chance encounter at St James's Palace.
Guests report that the event was amicable, and a number of lunch engagements followed.
Camilla and her children, Tom and Laura, also joined the Princes on holiday in the Mediterranean last summer, and The Royal Report understands that a strong friendship has since developed between Prince William and Camilla's son. The relationship still poses many problems, however. The Queen, who is known to have deep misgivings about her son's involvement with Mrs Parker Bowles, has yet to meet her publicly. Though ostensibly accepted by his sons, the rest of Prince Charles's family are clearly not as accommodating. Camilla was not, for example, invited to Charles's fiftieth birthday party at Buckingham Palace in 1998, which was hosted by the Queen.