King Charles and Queen Camilla’s unique living arrangements revealed by former palace staffer

As King Charles and Queen Camilla prepare to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary on April 9, their enduring bond stands as a testament to a different kind of royal love story—one that thrives not in tradition, but in independence.

Their marriage, marked by affection, mutual respect, and notably, separate residences, has quietly challenged the norms of royal life and proven that sometimes, space can bring people closer together.

While the world may imagine a king and queen residing side-by-side in ornate palaces, the real-life setup for Charles, 76, and Camilla, 77, tells a more modern tale.

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According to a former palace staffer, their decision to maintain separate homes was not an afterthought but a deliberate agreement made before they even tied the knot in 2005.

“Before Charles and Camilla got married, they agreed Camilla would keep her home,” Jack Stooks, a senior gardener at Charles’ Highgrove estate for over 20 years, revealed to the Express. “The separate space was important for them both and their families.”

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That home—Camilla’s private residence in Wiltshire—isn’t just a house; it’s a retreat steeped in memories and comfort. It’s where she raised her children and where she still enjoys downtime away from the prying eyes of royal life.

“For Camilla, her Wiltshire house had so many memories of raising her family. It’s somewhere she can retreat and escape royal life if she needs to,” Stooks explained. “It’s somewhere she can go with her family and have a laid-back weekend without prying eyes.”

This blend of closeness and independence has proven key to their marital success. While the couple often appears together at public events and share responsibilities as Britain’s reigning monarchs, they also place a high value on personal space and time alone.

Charles himself is known for his intense work ethic, sometimes burning the midnight oil at his desk, deeply engrossed in matters of state or environmental advocacy. “Charles enjoys time alone and he’s got a very strong work ethic. He’s been known to work at his desk into the early hours,” said Stooks.

Queen Camilla, too, treasures her solitude but also maintains an active social life apart from the King. “She’s got a lot of friends that she sees regularly,” Stooks shared, noting that while the couple enjoys shared moments and mutual friendships, they are also very comfortable doing their own thing.

“Charles and Camilla have a good set of mutual friends and they love to host at their various residences,” he added. “They’re both independent people and don’t mind time apart. The fact they don’t live in each other’s pockets is one of the many reasons their marriage works.”

In a further show of care and consideration, King Charles recently purchased a $3.8 million property next door to Camilla’s Wiltshire residence.

Originally planned as a wedding venue, the property was acquired to help protect Camilla’s privacy and ensure her personal haven remains just that—a sanctuary.

The move underscores Charles’ attentiveness to Camilla’s needs and their shared desire to preserve the lifestyle that has helped their relationship flourish.

Their story is also one of second chances. Both Charles and Camilla experienced previous marriages—Charles to the late Princess Diana, with whom he shares sons Prince William and Prince Harry, and Camilla to Andrew Parker Bowles, with whom she shares two children, Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes.

Despite the rocky beginnings of their relationship and years of scrutiny from the public and press, Charles and Camilla have weathered the storm, emerging as a strong, unified pair who are redefining what royal partnership can look like.

As they prepare for their upcoming anniversary trip to Italy, their love story continues to evolve—not in palaces, proclamations, or grand gestures, but in the quiet, intentional ways they honor one another’s individuality.

In a world that often equates closeness with constant togetherness, the King and Queen offer a refreshing reminder that sometimes, love grows best when it’s given room to breathe.

And in doing so, they show that even within the formality of royal tradition, there is space for modern love—and space within love—that makes it last.

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