Andrew Parker Bowles facts for kids

Brigadier Andrew Henry Parker Bowles (born 27 December 1939) is a retired officer from the British Army. He was once married to Queen Camilla, who is now the wife of King Charles III.

Early Life and Family

Andrew Parker Bowles was born on December 27, 1939. He was the oldest of four children. His father was Derek Henry Parker Bowles, and his mother was Ann de Trafford. His family was friends with Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

When he was a boy, Andrew was a "page" at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. This meant he had a special role in the ceremony. He is also the uncle of Derek Paravicini, who is a blind musical genius.

Andrew Parker Bowles enjoyed horse riding. He even rode in a famous horse race called the 1969 Grand National. He also played polo with Prince Charles when they were younger.

Military Career

Andrew Parker Bowles went to Ampleforth College and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He joined the Royal Horse Guards in 1960. He served in the army for many years.

In 1972, he was a squadron leader during an operation in Northern Ireland. Later, he helped during the change of Southern Rhodesia to Zimbabwe in 1979–1980. He was given an award for his bravery in Zimbabwe.

From 1981 to 1983, he was in charge of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment. This regiment is famous for its horses. During this time, a terrible bomb attack happened in London. Men and horses from his regiment were hurt. He was one of the first people to arrive at the scene. His quick actions helped save a famous horse named Sefton.

He continued to rise in rank. From 1987 to 1990, he was the colonel commanding the Household Cavalry. He also had a special role called "Silver Stick in Waiting" to Queen Elizabeth II. He became a brigadier in 1990 and retired from the army in 1994.

Relationships and Children

Andrew Parker Bowles has several godchildren. These include Lady Emma Herbert and Zara Tindall, who is the daughter of Princess Anne.

He dated Princess Anne for a few years in the early 1970s. They remained good friends after their relationship ended.

In 1973, Andrew Parker Bowles married Camilla Shand. Camilla had also dated the then-Prince of Wales. Andrew and Camilla had two children: a son named Tom and a daughter named Laura. They later divorced in 1995.

In 1996, Andrew Parker Bowles married Rosemary Alice Pitman. She had three sons from a previous marriage. Andrew and Rosemary attended the wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles in 2005. Rosemary passed away in 2010. Princess Anne and Camilla both attended her funeral services.

More recently, in 2023, it was reported that Andrew Parker Bowles was in a relationship with television presenter Anne Robinson.

Honours and Awards

Andrew Parker Bowles has received several honours for his service. In 2003, he was given an award by the Royal Veterinary College.

He has also received various medals, including:

• The Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (1953)
• The Rhodesia Medal (1980)
• The Zimbabwean Independence Medal (1980)
• The Commander of the Order of the British Empire (1984)
• The King Charles III Coronation Medal (2023)
• The Officer of the Order of St John
• The General Service Medal
• The United Nations Medal for peacekeeping in Cyprus

See also

In Spanish: Andrew Parker Bowles para niños