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ROYAL WOMEN

Who are the wives of Windsor? From Kate Middleton and Camilla Parker-Bowles to Diana Spencer and Wallis Simpson

AS a new bride gears up to join the monarchy in the form of Meghan Markle, a two-part ITV series will explore the royal wives of Windsor.

But who are the other wives of Windsor that have shaped the royal family as we know it? We reveal all...

 Meghan is soon to join the line of women who have married in to the royal family
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Meghan is soon to join the line of women who have married in to the royal familyCredit: Getty - Contributor

Who are the wives of Windsor?

Over the years a series of women have married in to the British monarchy.

With over the top weddings, scandal and a sense of duty each of the women has their own, very different story to tell.

Kate Middleton

Catherine Middleton married heir to the throne Prince William on April 29, 2011 at Westminster Abbey.

She just - literally just - gave birth to his third child, little baby Prince Louis on April 23, 2018.

 The world rejoiced when Prince William finally made Kate Middleton his bride in 2011
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The world rejoiced when Prince William finally made Kate Middleton his bride in 2011Credit: Alamy

Camilla Parker-Bowles

Camilla is the second wife of our future King, Prince Charles.

The pair were wed in a civil ceremony after overcoming a rocky history in April 9, 2005.

Wallis Simpson

American socialite Wallis Simpson caused a national crisis when British king Edward VIII fell head over heels for her.

He abducted the throne in order to marry her and the pair were wed on June 3, 1937.

Diana Spencer

Princess Diana stole the nation's hearts when she married Prince Charles on July 29, 1981.

She went on to have two children - William and Harry with the king-to-be and eventually divorced Prince Charles amid allegations of infidelity in 1996.

She sadly died in a car crash in Paris in 1997 at the age of 36.

 Princess Diana married Prince Charles in 1981
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Princess Diana married Prince Charles in 1981Credit: Getty - Contributor

Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon

Known to you and I as the Queen Mother, Elizabeth married George V on April 26, 1923.

When the King passed away in 1936 the title was handed over to our current Queen Elizabeth and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon became known as the Queen Mother.

Sarah Ferguson

Sarah Ferguson married the Queen's son Prince Andrew on July 23, 1986.

The couple had two children together, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie but sadly divorced with the Prince in 1996.

Sophie Rhys-Jones

Prince Edward married Sophie Rhys-Jones on June 19, 1999 in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.

The happy pair have two children Lady Louise Windsor and Viscount Severn James.

When is The Royal Wives of Windsor on and where can I watch it?

Part One of The Royal Wives of Windsor starts on ITV Monday, April 30, at 9pm.

Part Two will then air the next night at 9pm, Tuesday, May 1.

These two hour-long documentaries will examine what Meghan Markle can learn from the royal wives before who paved the way.

ITV promise the documentary will offer a timely perspective on Britain’s royal history as the series combines rare archive with insightful commentary.

The Coronation documentary reveals the British Crown Jewels were hidden from Nazis in biscuit tin under Windsor castle during WW2
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