thanks for listing the original source about "Camilla's bizarre engagment news on the Times" from Tina Brown's book about Diana: she wrote that Andrew PB told John Bowes-Lyon that Camilla's parents published the announcement and Johh Bowes-Lyon observed that Andrew PB was not that interested in marrying Camilla.I think this was an act out of love by Camilla's parents to force Andrew to commit himself to Camilla and gave him no time of wasting Camilla's life for waiting for him. I believe that Camilla loved Andrew at that time but she had feelings for Charles at the same time, but since forming a family was more important for her and she would accept Andrew's hand without any doubt once he made up his mind to marry her. It was quite dramatic, isn't ? It was said that Major Shand talked to Prince Charles several months befor he proposed to Camilla formally to tell him his position on that matter, he think Charles should make a honest woman of Camilla. It is really interesting to see how Major Shand act as a loving father but using steelful and effective strategy to ensure Camilla's happiness.
I think Lord Mountbatten's granddaughter was 15 in 1973. After receiving the famous letter of "marrying a sweet-character girl letter" on Valentine Day of 1974, Charles wrote to Amanda's parents to ask the permission to court their daughter but they asked Charles to wait until Amanda to grow up more and let herself make the choice. I think the problem for Charles would never marry without Lord Mountbatten's permission, QEQM's permission and Queen's approval, but they wanted Charles's happiness but they wanted their own favourite candiates to succeed. There were reports said that Charles's friends said that it was Lord Mountbatten who played an important role to change the event in 1972. It could be very true because Charles listend to him about love and marriage then he delayed to propose to Camilla and on the other hand Lord Mountbatten invited Camilla to broadland twice at before the christmas of 1972. It is only Camilla who knew what really happened during the weekened and what can happen afterwards. Charles- Camilla- Andrew - Anne is a much interesting love triangle for me. I often wonder what if Andrew PB were not a roman Cathelic and how it turned out? Probably Andrew married Anne at the first place and gave Charles some longer time to make up his own mind about Camilla at least he may fight for his feeling before he had no choice but to accept the fact" the groom is not me""
Charles and Camilla are soulmates and I think it is exactly the nature why their love have caused so many pains.In perfect world they should have get married straight ahead but in an imperfect world, their love needs to overcome great obstacles to succeed. It is the way of their twist of fates driven to unknown.