Long before Princess Diana and Camilla, King Charles was just another highly suitable bachelor. The future king had dated several women, including his girlfriend from Trinity College, Lucia Santa Cruz, Hello! notes. Although Charles considered Santa Cruz the “first real love of his life,” it was actually her who introduced Charles to the future love of his life, Camilla Shand, in 1970. While it’s a little foggy on how the whole thing went down, it was clear that Charles was infatuated with the future queen consort from the start.
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“The Duchess: The Untold Story,” written by Penny Junor, detailed a then 22-year-old Charles’ feelings toward Camilla after they first crossed paths at a polo match. Junor wrote (via People), “He loved the fact that she smiled with her eyes as well as her mouth, and laughed at the same silly things as he did.” Being the future king, Charles cherished the ease and comfort of being himself around Camilla without the burden of expectations. “He also liked that she was so natural and easy and friendly, not in any way overawed by him, not fawning or sycophantic,” Junor explained. Unfortunately for Santa Cruz, the spark between Charles and Camilla was overpowering, and he and his college girlfriend split in 1970. That same year, Charles and Camilla began their whirlwind romance.
