Camilla's ex-husband's second wife dies

Jan 13, 2010, 12:03 GMT

Britain's Duchess of Cornwall is expected to attend her ex-husband's wife's funeral.

Camilla - who is married to Prince Charles - is likely to join mourners at a service commemorating the life of Rosemary Parker Bowles, who lost her battle with cancer on Sunday (10.01.10).

Rosemary married Brigadier Andrew Parker Bowles almost 14 years ago, the year after he split with Camilla following the public scrutiny over her relationship with Charles during his marriage to princess Diana.

Despite their previous acrimony, Camilla, Andrew and Rosemary managed to maintain a firm friendship in recent years, with friends saying his second marriage brought Andrew "tremendous joy".

A source said: "They were incredibly happy and Andrew has been a tower of strength for Rosemary throughout her years of treatment and all the setbacks they encountered. Of course he is devastated, but they had some very fulfilling times together."

Rosemary - who was first diagnosed with cancer four years ago - was expected to recover before suffering a relapse a year later - impressed her family with her courage during her illness.

Her son Henry said: "It was a long, long illness but she was immensely brave, and bore her troubles with great strength and fortitude.

"She was especially pleased to reach Christmas and to be able to see her new step-grandchildren, who were born on New Year's Eve."