Behind royal doors: The lives of Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes
The British royal family holds many secrets. However, it is publicly known that after his second marriage, King Charles provided his sons with stepsiblings. Who are Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes, and what are they doing today?
9 October 2024 18:33
Prince Harry and Prince William have been in the media spotlight since their early years. It almost seems that the older they get, the more the tabloid press is interested in their lives. In recent years, one of the main topics in British tabloids has been the conflict between the brothers. Not everyone knows (or remembers) that William and Harry also have other siblings—step-siblings.
Prince William and Harry have a brother and a sister: Who are they?
Harry and William's step-siblings come from King Charles III's marriage to Camilla Parker Bowles, whom he married in 2005. Before Charles married Camilla, she already had two children from her first marriage to Andrew Parker Bowles.
Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes, as we're talking about them, do not hold formal royal titles as they are not part of the British royal succession line. However, as Camilla's children, they are sometimes invited to important family and royal events. They attended Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in 2018. They were also present at the ceremony for Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011.
What do Laura Lopes and her brother do?
Laura graduated from Oxford Brookes University, where she studied art history and marketing. Her professional career is related to art. She currently works as a curator and co-founder of London's Eleven Gallery. Previously, she was also a motoring correspondent for "Tatler" magazine. Despite her royal connections, Laura has chosen to lead a life away from the media buzz, focusing on her family and work.
In 2006, Laura married Harry Lopes, a former Calvin Klein model, who began working as a certified accountant after his modeling career. The wedding took place in Wiltshire. Laura wore a wedding dress designed by Anna Valentine—the same designer chosen by her mother for her wedding to Charles.
Laura and Harry Lopes have three children: Eliza and twins Gus and Louis. The children played significant roles during important royal events. Eliza was a bridesmaid at Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding, while sons Gus and Louis were page boys during Queen Camilla's coronation.
Tom Parker Bowles is a British celebrity
Unlike his sister, Tom Parker Bowles enjoys considerable popularity in the UK. He is a well-known food critic and author of books, as well as a television presenter. He regularly writes restaurant reviews for "The Mail on Sunday" and serves as the culinary section editor for the men's magazine "Esquire." In 2014, he was on the list of the top 10 most-followed British restaurant critics on Twitter (now X).
Tom's private life has had its ups and downs. In 2005, he married Sarah Buys, editor of "Harpers & Queen" magazine, with whom he has two children, Lola and Frederick. The couple separated in 2018. Tom then had a relationship with Alice Procope, a former journalist. Their happiness was cut short when Alice died in 2021 due to cancer.
