Charles III former girlfriend Davina Morley dies at the age of 75

Davina Morley, a former companion of King Charles III once considered a potential queen of England before his marriage to Princess Diana, died on September 2, 2026. She was 75 years old.

Meeting following Camilla Parker Bowles wedding

The granddaughter of a major chemical industry founder met the young royal in 1973. That meeting occurred immediately after Camilla married Andrew Parker Bowles, an event that deeply unsettled the emotions of the future monarch. During the 1960s and 1970s, court observers regarded Davina Sheffield, her maiden name, as the most striking figure among the prince’s social circle, which contemporaries nicknamed Charlie Angels.

Royal courtiers at the time believed Charles had finally discovered the ideal partner to share the British throne with him, yet the romance ended abruptly after former boyfriend James Beard publicly disclosed that he had previously shared a residence with her.

Strict court protocols and separate marriages

The official relationship began in 1976 under strict royal succession rules that demanded a prospective royal bride possess an unblemished personal background. Royal family protocol consequently disqualified Davina from marriage to the heir apparent.

Davina married Jake Morley in 1981. During that same year, Charles celebrated his royal wedding to Diana, whom the monarch had first met in 1977. Both couples then established their separate households away from each other.

• Thomas, the firstborn son of Davina and Jake Morley, born in 1983.
• William, born in 1984, whose name mirrored the name chosen by Charles and Diana for their elder son.
• Henry, born in 1987, matching the name chosen by the royal couple for their second son.

The arrival of Thomas in 1983 had made him the firstborn child of Davina and Jake Morley. The subsequent arrivals completed the family unit.