The royal family may be steeped in tradition, but under King Charles and Queen Camilla, it now reflects the modern realities of a blended family
Since their marriage 19 years ago, following their extramarital affair and respective divorces—Charles from Princess Diana in 1996 and Camilla from Andrew Parker Bowles in 1995—they’ve brought together a unique family, where Camilla’s children, Tom Parker Bowles, 49, and Laura Lopes, 46, are stepsiblings to Prince William, 42, and Prince Harry, 40.
“We live in 2024 and blended families – it’s a little bit different from the days of Victoria and Edward. If they’re happy then we’re happy and that’s where it all starts from,” Camilla’s son, Tom, tells PEOPLE amid the release of his latest book, Cooking and the Crown: Royal Recipes from Queen Victoria to King Charles III.
The May 2023 coronation brought Tom’s own family into the spotlight, particularly his daughter Lola, 17, and son Freddy, 14, whom he shares with ex-wife Sara Buys. Freddy even played a role in the ceremony as a page, alongside others, including Prince George. His children have grown up close to “Gaga and Uppa,” their affectionate names for Camilla and Charles. “They adore her,” he says. “They adore the King too. He has been a wonderful step-grandfather.”
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“We blend in and blend,” he continues. “Of course there’s the boys [William and Harry], and talking of the wider family, Peter Phillips is a little bit younger than me and I’ve grown up with him, and Zara [Tindall]. The York girls [Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie] are two of the nicest women you’d hope to meet.”
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Yet, despite reports last year suggesting otherwise, Parker Bowles, 49, confirms he still hasn’t joined the royal family for their traditional Christmas gathering in Sandringham.
“We are married in, we are not the royal family – I’ve never for one second said that,” he says. “I find everyone incredibly nice and friendly and we’ve know them all for a long time. It does seem natural.”
“That’s not to say myself and the children spend running around palaces,” he continues. ““I have my own job and the children have school. I haven’t been to Christmas yet for various reasons.”
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Although they don’t spend Christmas at Sandringham, Camilla often joins her children and ex-husband for a post-holiday gathering.
“My mother and father are still great friends and we will go down on December 27 and my mother will sometimes come,” Tom says. “It is something to work towards. It’s a maturity that is a great thing if — despite a marriage sometimes not working –you can keep it together for the sake of the children and the sake of each other then it’s a very good thing.”
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Reflecting on his own split from Buys (the couple separated in 2018 and finalized their divorce in 2022), he adds, “I’m divorced, but you get on with your ex-wife for the sake of the children, that’s what matters. My priority is to make sure my children are happy and safe and comfortable – just like any other divorced father.”
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