He had been away serving with the Royal Navy when, in 1973, he heard that Camilla had become engaged to glamorous Army Officer, Andrew Parker Bowles. In Robert Lacey's book, Battle of the Brothers, he explained: 'Over the years the two cousins did grow close, developing a mutual respect and friendship that has lasted to the present day.

It later emerged that Camilla, still friends with Charles despite their breakup, was not keen on him marrying Anna and was pleased when the relationship ended. Known as ‘Whiplash Wallace’ for her fiery temper, she reportedly broke off their relationship during the Queen Mother’s 80 th birthday party because Charles had ignored her all evening. When reporters and photographers camped outside Lady Jane's small terraced house in Fulham, she supposedly said: 'Do you honestly believe I want to be Queen?to add information, pictures and relationships, join in discussions and get credit for your contributions. The comely blond British former debutante certainly would enhance the dowdy female side of the royal family. Very much the one that got away, Prince Charles actually proposed to his distant relative, Lady Amanda Knatchbull, in 1980, and his father, Prince Philip, was reportedly very keen for the union to work. In 1980, he proposed to Lady Amanda Ellingworth (nee Knatchbull), granddaughter of Earl Mountbatten; the Prince’s second cousin and long-time confidant. Known as a ladies man, Parker-Bowles had conducted his own on-off relationship with Camilla - but had been dating other women at the same time, including some of her friends and Charles's own sister, Princess Anne.

Well connected and extremely glamorous, she seemed like the perfect match for the future heir to the throne. Heartbroken, Prince Charles begged Camilla not to marry Andrew the week before her wedding, wrote Ms Junor.It was widely reported afterwards that she told him: "I have never been so badly treated in my life. Davina Sheffield, a close friend of Prince Charles, radiates elegance and sophistication as she attends a glamorous charity function in 1977.