But both their marriages fell into difficulty - Camilla divorced in 1995, Charles the year after.
There was controversy when Charles admitted he had indeed begun seeing Camilla romantically while still married.
He confirmed in a televised interview that their relationship resumed after his marriage had "irretrievably broken down" in 1986.
Supporters of the Princess also compared Camilla unfavourably to fashionable Diana - overlooking the fact that her life as a country housewife really didn't require a glamorous wardrobe.
Following the tragic death of Princess Diana in 1997, the lovers decided to keep a low profile because of sensitivities to the public mood.
Two years later, however, the couple made their first public appearance together at a party in London's Ritz Hotel, greeted by hundreds of photographers.
Then in 2002 it became evident they were ready to move further into the spotlight when the first picture emerged of them holding hands.
A former aide of the Prince's Mark Bolland explained what Camilla felt about her public image.
"She's a lovely woman – kind and patient. She has no desire to be famous, or popular," he said. "What she doesn't want is to be hated."
He added: "The period when she was demonised and traduced by newspapers was very upsetting for her, and it upset him [Charles] enormously too, because he felt responsible for it."
After two months of preparation and what seemed like a lifetime of waiting, Camilla and Charles married in a civil ceremony in Windsor.
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This was followed by a blessing, for which the bride wore elegant in a Philip Treacy hat and full-length porcelain blue silk Robinson Valentine dress with a hand-painted ikat design, hand-embroidered with gold threadwork.
Camilla had been accepted at the heart of the monarchy.
The Duchess has been credited with bringing a joie de vivre to the couple's shared life. The pair are frequently pictured in giggles on public engagements.
