How Many of Queen Elizabeth II’s Children Had Affairs?
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip have been married for more than 70 years. Their union can be seen as a royal love story that has stood the test of time. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said about all of their children’s marriages.
Instead, some of them have made headlines over their marital problems and eventual divorces. We’re guessing you can name one of Her Majesty’s children whose marriage failed after an explosive affair, but do you know how many of her other children had affairs while they were married?
Here’s the answer to which of the queen and the Duke of Edinburgh’s kids had extramarital affairs and if any of her children are still married to their first spouse today.
Prince Charles
We’ll start with the obvious.
It’s common knowledge that Prince Charles had an affair with Camilla Parker Bowles while married to Princess Diana. The heir apparent and Diana tied the knot in 1981, but after saying “I do” to her he carried on an affair with his former flame for a number of years.
When the Princess confronted her husband about it Charles reportedly told her, “I refuse to be the only Prince of Wales who never had a mistress.”
Charles and his first wife separated in 1992 and divorced in 1996.
Diana died following a car crash in 1997 and Charles ended up marrying Camilla in 2005.
Princess Anne
Princess Anne also reportedly had affairs while she was married to her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips.
While her older brother got much more press for his affair and marital issues with Diana, the Princess Royal had a very rocky first marriage as well. She married Phillips in 1973 after reportedly having an affair with Andrew Parker Bowles while he was with Camilla. Yes, you read that correctly.
Anne was then accused of being romantically involved with her personal bodyguard, Sergeant Peter Cross of the Royal Protection Squad. Behind closed doors, her marriage to Phillips had crumbled and they began to live separate lives. In 1989, personal letters sent to the princess by Commander Timothy Laurence were stolen and published in the tabloids.
Just before she and Phillips divorced, reports surfaced that he fathered a love child. Although he adamantly denied the claims, DNA later confirmed that he was in fact the father. Their divorce was finalized in 1992 and Anne married Laurence a few months later.
Prince Andrew
Many people remember Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson’s wedding in 1986 and most can’t forget one very public scandal while they’re married. However, it wasn’t the Duke of York‘s name that made news for having affairs. It was actually Fergie who made headlines for infidelity rumors.
In 1992, the Duchess of York was photographed with her toes in another man’s mouth while she was still legally married to Andrew. This was a huge embarrassment to the royal family and spelled the end of their marriage.
They divorced in 1996 but the two remain good friends to this day.
Prince Edward
Queen Elizabeth and Philip’s youngest son, Prince Edward, is the only one of their children who is not divorced. In addition to still being married to his first spouse, his name has never been connected to any cheating allegations.
Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones wed in 1999. Instead of taking a Dukedom, he became the Earl of Wessex and his wife the Countess of Wessex.
These days, the couple chooses to live their lives away from the spotlight.
Read more: Who Is Queen Elizabeth II’s Favorite Child?
