Queen Elizabeth II Skipped Charles and Camilla's Wedding

The monarch did not attend the civil ceremony, but later gave her blessing to the couple.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 5:34pm

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An abstract, out-of-focus photograph depicting a hazy, dreamlike scene of a royal wedding, with muted colors and blurred figures conveying the emotional weight of the event.The queen's absence from Charles and Camilla's wedding ceremony highlighted the nuanced relationship between the monarchy and the Church of England.Windsor Today

In 2005, then-Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles were married in a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall, but Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip were conspicuously absent. As the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, the queen considered it inappropriate to attend the civil wedding of two people who had previously divorced their respective spouses. However, the queen and Prince Phillip later attended a blessing for the couple at St. George's Chapel and hosted a reception in their honor.

Why it matters

The queen's absence from Charles and Camilla's wedding highlighted the complex dynamics within the royal family regarding divorce and remarriage. As the head of the Church of England, the queen had to balance her personal support for the couple with her constitutional role and the church's traditional stance on divorce.

The details

The wedding ceremony was held at Windsor Guildhall, a structure near the Windsor Castle estate but just outside its boundaries. As both Charles and Camilla had been previously divorced, the ceremony was a civil one, not one held inside a church. This detail explains the queen's absence, as she considered it inappropriate to attend the civil wedding of two people who had divorced their spouses.

  • Charles and Camilla were married on April 9, 2005.
  • The queen and Prince Phillip attended a subsequent blessing for the couple at St. George's Chapel inside the Windsor Castle estate.
  • In 2022, Queen Elizabeth II marked the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne and expressed her support for Camilla to be known as Queen Consort when Charles becomes king.

The players

Queen Elizabeth II

The reigning monarch of the United Kingdom and the Supreme Governor of the Church of England.

Prince Charles

The eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and the heir apparent to the British throne.

Camilla Parker Bowles

The Duchess of Cornwall and the second wife of Prince Charles.

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What they’re saying

“This anniversary also affords me a time to reflect on the goodwill shown to me by people of all nationalities, faiths and ages in this country and around the world over these years. I would like to express my thanks to you all for your support. I remain eternally grateful for, and humbled by, the loyalty and affection that you continue to give me.”

— Queen Elizabeth II

“And when, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me; and it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service.”

— Queen Elizabeth II

What’s next

As Charles becomes king, the public will see if Camilla is officially recognized as Queen Consort, as the queen has expressed her wish.

The takeaway

The queen's absence from Charles and Camilla's wedding highlighted the complex dynamics within the royal family regarding divorce and remarriage, but the queen eventually gave her public blessing to the couple, paving the way for Camilla to potentially become Queen Consort.