Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla have plenty of reasons to celebrate right now. Not only has 71-year-old Charles made a significant health recovery, but Camilla has made it through without contracting the virus herself.
The couple shared a photo sitting together after Camilla came out of her period of self-isolation on Monday. The timing was pretty perfect. Thursday, the couple celebrates their 15th anniversary. They appear on a covered porch in Birkhall with two of their dogs, Beth and Bluebell, on their laps. Both have big, genuine smiles on their faces.
Charles and Camilla's love story has been an incredibly complex one. From when they first met in the early 1970s, it seems the two were destined to be together. Many obstacles stood in their way, from the royal family to Camilla's own family.
There was a definite public distaste for the couple following Charles and Princess Diana's divorce, and more so after her death. More than two decades later, people have come around to show respect and appreciation for their union.
Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, are out of self-isolation. The Prince of Wales came out of self-isolation after seven days in accordance with UK guidelines. Camilla had to remain in self-isolation for 14 days to make sure symptoms did not present.
The couple self-isolated in separate areas of Birkhall. There were additional concerns for Camilla as a former smoker, but thankfully she's come through it healthy. Through it all, the two were still supportive of each other and upheld their bond.
"Both of them remain in good spirits," a palace source told People magazine. "There is a sense of keeping calm and carrying on. The duchess is concerned for him but she is aware of his own good spirits and therefore is keeping a close eye on him and mindful of her own situation. She is upbeat."
While Camilla completed self-isolation, Charles continued with his work. He became the first royal in history to carry out a virtual ceremony. Charles took place in the opening of a new temporary field hospital in London serving virus patients over a video link.
Camilla completed her self-isolation on Monday. It was just in time for a very special occasion. On April 9, the couple celebrates their 15th anniversary. They were married on April 9, 2005, after a love story with twists and turns unlike any we've ever seen.
The couple marked the occasion with a photo on a covered porch at Birkhall. The photo was shared on the Clarence House Instagram page on Wednesday.
"Ahead of The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall's 15th wedding anniversary tomorrow, we are sharing this photo of Their Royal Highnesses with The Duchess's dogs Bluebell and Beth," the photo was captioned.
On Thursday, the account shared a sweet collage of photos. A number of the photos were from the couple's wedding day. The couple enjoyed a civil ceremony since it was the second marriage for them both. Later, there was a blessing at Windsor Castle.
For the first ceremony, Camila wore a white silk chiffon dress and a matching coat. She completed the outfit with a feathered wide-brimmed hat by Philip Treacy.
The wedding was a big deal as many still weren't sure how to feel about the relationship at the time. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip didn't attend the civil ceremony, but they were there for the Windsor Castle blessing.
Charles and Camilla were introduced by a mutual friend at a polo match in 1970. The connection between the two was immediate. They began dating, although a number of factors would end up interfering with their relationship.
In 1971, Charles joined the Royal Navy, which put physical distance between them. Behind the scenes, Camilla was considered an unfit match for Charles. She didn't come from an aristocratic bloodline, and she was believed not to be a virgin.
Camilla went on to marry Andrew Parker Bowles in 1973. Coincidentally, he was a former boyfriend of Charles' sister, Princess Anne. Over the next few years, people anxiously awaited news of whom Charles would marry.
Charles met Lady Diana Spencer in 1977. At the time, he was dating her older sister, Sarah. He began courting Diana in 1980. The two married in 1981, and they welcomed William in 1982 and Harry in 1984. While things appeared like a fairy tale on the outside, Charles continued to hold a flame for Camilla.
Camilla and Charles resumed their relationship despite both being married. Charles and Diana divorced in 1996, a year after Camilla and Andrew's divorce. Charles was in the process of trying to legitimize his relationship with Camilla but stopped when Diana tragically died in 1997.
Charles and Camilla wouldn't get to publicly appear together until 1999. Their first public kiss was two years later, in 2001. In 2003, she moved into Clarence House.
Charles and Camilla have come a long way in a love story that was decades in the making. Today, she enjoys a positive relationship with the royal family. Harry and William have publicly proclaimed their love for her as a stepmother. In a love story that seemed doomed to fail, Charles and Camilla found a way to let love prevail.
