Queen Camilla & King Charles's Marriage Is Full Of Red Flags

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla were married in 2005 — a full 35 years after meeting in 1970, allegedly at a polo match while they were both in their twenties. But the course of true love didn't run smoothly for this pair, who were separated in part due to the Royal family's feeling that she wasn't an appropriate match for the future king of England, despite Charles's strong feelings for her. "The conventions of the time called for the heir to the British throne to marry a woman who at least appeared to be virginal," said Sally Bedell Smith, author of "Prince Charles: The Passions and Paradoxes of an Improbable Life," in an interview with Town & Country. That old-fashioned logic might not hold up today, but at that time, it was justification for this relationship to end, and both halves of this couple to marry others.

Charles famously married the much-younger Princess Diana, but their marriage wasn't a happy one, and the then-prince famously maintained his connection to Camilla for most of it. After her death, he publicly announced his relationship with Camilla. He proposed with an emerald diamond that ranks among the Royal's most gorgeous engagement rings, and the pair were eventually married. But while it's tempting to see Charles and Camilla as star-crossed lovers, kept apart by family and tradition à la "Romeo & Juliet," there are too many red flags waving around for us to celebrate this love.

Though the exact timeline of King Charles III's relationship with Camilla remains hazy, it is well established that their romantic relationship was ongoing during her marriage to Andrew Parker Bowles and his marriage to Princess Diana. Charles admitted to the infidelity in a 1994 documentary, implying that his relationship with Camilla would continue. But such morally gray behavior makes for a poor relationship foundation.

It's not uncommon for people to attempt to build relationships with their affair partners, but the morally hazy beginning can overshadow any romantic futures. According to a study in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, relationships founded in infidelity correlated with lower commitment and a higher chance of future cheating, as well as lower relationship quality overall. Thus, it seems very likely that Charles and Camilla's relationship still carries the emotional burden from those years of cheating, even though they ended up together.

While former Queen Elizabeth ultimately gave her approval for King Charles III to marry Camilla, his family maintained their reservations. When the couple eventually tied the knot, not everyone was accepting, particularly Charles' sons, William, Prince of Wales, and Prince Harry. In his 2023 memoir, "Spare," Harry reveals that the brothers urged their father not to marry his long-time paramour. They were willing to accept his relationship, but begged him not to marry Camilla, fearing the comparisons that would inevitably be drawn with the late Princess Diana.

The truth is that a relationship undertaken without family support might not be impossible, but it faces a daunting uphill battle. In particular, a conflict with close family members, such as children, has particularly high stakes since they're likely to be directly impacted by the new relationship. On Psychology Today, family therapist Jane Greer emphasized the need for caution and empathy when children object to a new partner. "They may be viewing your new partner as a competitor for your time and attention," she wrote. "Additionally, it may even be that your partner actually did say or do something to provoke their lashing out." Considering the potential impact on children is a key tip for getting back into dating after a divorce. In moving forward against his children's wishes, Charles demonstrated a willingness to sideline his responsibilities as a parent in favor of his relationship with Camilla, only increasing the external disapproval and resentment.

Despite a decades-long bond, King Charles III and Queen Camilla still live separately much of the time, even after their marriage. Though they both reside at Clarence House in London, they regularly spend time elsewhere and apart. While Charles often moves beyond royal estates, Camilla maintains her personal home at Ray Mill House in Wiltshire. And, when they are together, they prefer separate bedrooms.

Some couples find that living apart can enhance their bond, particularly when both partners enjoy a lot of independence. But such an arrangement can often mask a multitude of bigger relationship issues. Separate residences aren't inherently a red flag, but if Charles and Camilla are taking so much time apart, it could suggest that their relationship may not be totally happy. "When we are deeply in love, we want physical proximity to the object of our desire," said attorney and clinical psychologist Robert Riordan, in an interview with Brides, explaining that too much distance can provoke insecurities and loneliness.

Rumors have swirled that Queen Camilla's relationship with the press has long been strategic and even harmful. In "Spare," Prince Harry alleges that she leaked private information about family members, including him, to divert negative coverage of her and to improve her public image. After her affair with Charles, Camilla was widely regarded as a home-wrecker. The idea of her marrying Charles or becoming queen provoked public outcry. Such a strategic approach to earning public approval hints at Camilla's capacity for emotional manipulation and suggests a relationship concerned more with optics than mutual support.

"We're all manipulators," therapist Melissa Stringer told GoodTherapy. "Socially acceptable manipulation, such as smiling and making eye contact, are considered healthy ways to increase the chances of human connection. But when manipulative behavior is used to avoid vulnerability and establish power over others, it becomes unhealthy." Not only did Camilla work to rebuild her image at the expense of others, particularly Charles's children, but he appeared to be on board with the strategy, with many of the leaks reportedly coming from the couple's shared team. There are plenty of weird things about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's relationship, but if Charles and Camilla are willing to throw others, even family members, under the bus to protect themselves, then this is a relationship that likely prioritizes self-preservation over the important values like compassion and accountability.