Queen Camilla proved to be the friendliest of exes to her first husband, Andrew Parker Bowles, on Thursday night when the duo reunited at the launch of her son Tom’s new book in London.
The King’s wife, 77, is said to still be “joined at the hip” to the 84-year-old former army brigadier, despite infidelity on both sides during their 22-year marriage, which ended in 1995.
Demonstrating their close bond, the pair put on a show of friendship by meeting up at Tom’s event, which was held to mark the launch of the food critic’s new book Cooking and The Crown: Royal Recipes From Queen Victoria To King Charles III.
It seemed to be the perfect opportunity for a family reunion as Camilla was also joined by her daughter Laura Lopes, 46, her beloved sister Annabel Eliot, 75, and Andrew’s niece Louisa.
Camilla was beaming as she proudly attended the occasion, looking radiant in a monochrome polka dot maxi dress.
Queen Camilla (pictured right) proved to be the friendliest ex ever with her first husband Andrew Parker Bowles (pictured left) on Thursday night when the duo reunited at the launch of her son Tom’s new book in London.
Laura Lopes, Queen Camilla and Tom Parker Bowles at the launch of the book Cooking and The Crown in London
Royal sister Annabel Elliot chats to Andrew Parker Bowles as a beaming Queen Camilla poses for a photograph.
Cooking and the Crown: Royal recipes from Queen Victoria to King Charles III will be released on September 26.
Delicious royal recipes include Queen Camilla’s porridge, George V’s curry and Princess Elizabeth’s Glazed Bomb for dessert.
Camilla and Andrew, who is dating TV presenter Anne Robinson, have a strong and close friendship, and he even had a special guest on the guest list for the king’s coronation.
Their steadfast alliance comes despite a turbulent two-decade marriage that saw them welcome two children, food writer Tom and artist Laura, but both committing infidelities.
Camilla is known to have been Charles’ “mistress” during her marriage to Andrew, while friends describe the latter as being “very naughty with women” throughout the marriage.
But it seems that differences have been put aside as the two are now “joined at the hip,” as a close source previously said, claiming that they are in constant contact and make a great team.
“They are very close,” according to a friend. “He organises a lot of things for her. They have lunch together all the time. He is there. He always was, and still is, Camilla’s partner in crime.”
Andrew and Camilla divorced in 1995, saying in a statement that “throughout our marriage we have always tended to follow quite different interests, but in recent years we have led completely separate lives.”
Queen Camilla and Laura Lopes were all smiles at the occasion in London this evening.
It seemed to be the perfect opportunity for a family reunion as Camilla was also joined by her daughter Laura Lopes, 46, her beloved sister Annabel Eliot, 75, and Andrew’s niece Louisa (pictured left).
A radiant Queen Camilla can’t help but smile as she poses with her children Tom and Laura.
Queen Camilla and her beloved sister Annabel attended today’s glittering occasion.
Cooking and the Crown: Royal recipes from Queen Victoria to King Charles III will be released on September 26. Pictured are Andrew and Tom
The following year he married his long-time lover, Rosemary Pitman. They were together until Rosemary passed away in 2010 from cancer, aged 69.
At the time of her death, Camilla was reported to be “deeply saddened” by the news.
Andrew was invited to Charles and Camilla’s wedding in April 2005, and attended their blessing service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor.
Earlier on Thursday, Camilla revealed she is taking part in the ‘Silver Swans’ dance classes for seniors during a visit to the English National Ballet in east London.
The Queen, who is a patron of the organisation, shared that she is not only a fan of dance “in any form” but also dabbles in ballet, as she gave a short speech to mark the company’s 75th anniversary.
However, after being dazzled by the dancers’ rehearsals, she joked: “The ladies of today would rather make a fool of me.”
Organised by the Royal Academy of Dance, Silver Swans are dance classes specially designed for older people.
The royal had braved wet weather to join rehearsals at the Mulryan Centre for Dance on the Leamouth Peninsula, near Canning Town station, in what was her first visit since becoming a patron.
Like father, like son. Andrew and Tom pose together at tonight’s family event.
Louise, Andrew and Queen Camilla chat to each other at Thursday’s event in London
Andrew’s brother Simon Parker Bowles and his son Sam Parker Bowles pose with Andrew and Tom
Andrew poses with his brother Simon as they attend the launch celebration for Tom’s new book.
Annabel Elliot, Andrew Parker Bowles and Queen Camilla at today’s event in London
Camilla (pictured with Louisa, left, and Chioma Nnadi, right) was beaming as she proudly attended the occasion, looking radiant in a monochrome polka dot maxi dress.
Once freed from her umbrella, she was greeted by Sir Rupert Gavin, president of the English National Ballet, and introduced to artistic director Aaron S. Watkin.
Dressed in a pale blue silk shirt dress by London designer Anna Valentine, Queen Camilla accessorized her outfit with a gold and red brooch.
She wore several gold and silver bracelets on her right wrist, as well as what appeared to be a royal blue woven friendship bracelet on her left wrist.
The Queen, who stressed how “proud” she was to be a patron of the English National Ballet, completed her look with a pair of round-toed pumps in cream and black.
In an informal speech delivered in front of a huge birthday cake to celebrate the company’s 75th anniversary, she said: “I love ballet. In any form, I love dance.”
Explaining that she is also a patron of ballet schools, she added: “I do a bit of Silver Swans myself. Girls today prefer to outdo me. I love it.”
“It is very exciting to be able to say that I am a patron.”
Queen Camilla wished the ballet company “a very happy 75th birthday” and said: “I look forward to seeing you all a lot more in the future. Enjoy the cake.”
During her visit, the Queen watched in admiration as a dancer rehearsed in a studio and also met members of staff.
She was also treated to what appeared to be a dress rehearsal, with a couple of dancers performing impressive lifts.
English National Ballet performs throughout the UK and internationally, bringing world-class ballet to the widest possible audiences.