In the end, though, Camilla came out on top.
That being said, Camilla’s parents had mixed feelings about their daughter’s trajectory.
At times, it was clear that they did not see her love story as a fairy tale.
However, to the world, he was a war hero.
Of course, as a young man, Bruce was not immune to naivite.
Ultimately, though, this is not how things ended.
He remained imprisoned for the following two years.
He was awarded the prestigious Military Cross award on two separate occasions.
Later, a Hollywood movie was based on his experiences.
On top of being a military man, Bruce Shand was known for being chivalrous.
She was particularly invested in helping young people.
In fact, one of her favorite causes was providing support for children with severe learning differences.
She also had a history of collaborating with adoption agencies to help orphans find new homes.
Sadly, Rosalind was unable to continue her work for as long as she may have liked.
In 1994, Camilla’s mom died following a long battle with osteoporosis.
Indeed, Camilla became the president of the National Osteoporosis Society (N.O.S.)
all thanks to her mother’s influence.
In a conversation with Vanity Fair, Annabel recalled, “We had this enchanted childhood.
Unlike a lot of our generation, we had this incredibly warm, easy relationship with our parents.”
As Annabel recounted, “We didn’t have nannies.
All our friends growing up would immediately be drawn to my mother.
She was completely straightforward, and one of the warmest, kindest people.”
That’s where Camilla has the edge.
It’s no different to her to talk to a duke or a dustman."
In many ways, it was hardly surprising that the Shands supported this relationship.
Like Bruce, Andrew was a military man who had studied at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
And, like Rosalind, he came from a family with strong aristocratic ties.
Thus, Camilla’s doting parents began to plot a way to push Andrew and their daughter together.
Naturally, Camilla’s parents were thrilled with the match.
However, behind the pristine veneer of Andrew and Camilla’s relationship lied a serious issue.
Throughout his marriage with Camilla, Andrew engaged extramarital affairs, crushing his wife.
For years, Camilla and Charles sneaked around, even as they remained married to other people.
Naturally, Bruce and Rosalind Shand found out about their daughter’s affair along with everyone else.
At the time, rumor had it Bruce was particularly incensed, blaming Charles for the scandal.
He told Charles Camilla’s husband was the better man."
No amount of scandal or parental opposition could keep Camilla away from Charles.
And the future king felt the same way.
Writing in Vanity Fair, Junor divulged that Bruce “loved the prince dearly.”
He loved the whole extended Shand family and in turn they were very fond of him."
Interestingly, though, Bruce was not as close to Charles as Mark was.
Of course, this would hardly have been surprising to those who knew the Shands personally.
Mark personality was famously effusive, making it easy for him to connect with Charles and anyone else.
And Charles finally had a buddy."
He explained, “Mark put everybody at their ease.
And he had all these stories to tell.
And he told them brilliantly.”
By then, both parties had long exited their first marriages, meaning that they were free to remarry.
According to royal expert, Penny Junor, this situation irked Camilla’s father.
In many ways, Bruce’s view of Charles was accurate.
However, as they approached the end of their lives, this sentiment changed.
Unfortunately, though, Rosalind Shand died before getting to see her daughter remarry.
Bruce Shand was determined to check that that the same thing did not happen to him.
Of course, the rest of the Shand family agreed with Bruce’s pro-marriage stance.
Thus, Charles proposed to Camilla in 2005 and tied the knot just four months later.
At the ripe old age of 88, Bruce Shand was sure to attend the ceremony.
This was particularly apparent in 1994 whenCharles publicly confessed that he cheated on Princess Diana.
I am in no doubt he will make a perfect king."
