King Charles’ former girlfriend Davina Sheffield dies aged 75 as pair were once dubbed ‘soulmates’ before Diana marriage

KING Charles’ former girlfriend Davina Sheffield has died at the age of 75. The granddaughter of ICI tycoon Lord McGowan was once considered the King’s “soulmate” and possible future Queen before Charles married Princess Diana. Davina Sheffield, who became Davina Morley, died surrounded by her three sons, Tom, Billy, and Henry, it was revealed today. Her family said a celebration of her life will take place in November near her home in the Cotswolds. When the Prince of Wales began courting in the 1960s and 70s, Davina was considered one of his “English Roses”. They began dating in 1976 and Davina was soon whisked to Balmoral where she met the Queen Mother. Read more in royals The pair were tipped for marriage after they were seen attending a wedding together and Davina was pictured with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at an equestrian event. Alongside appearing at social events, Davina and Charles were often seen driving around in the then prince’s open-top Aston Martin DB5 Volante. One source said at the time Charles had found “the soulmate he was searching for”. However, their relationship fell apart after it emerged Davina had lived with her previous boyfriend James Beard in a “love nest”. Most read in Royals It was even rumoured Davina had initially turned down the Prince of Wales because of her relationship with Beard. Charles’ “persistence” eventually won her over, royal author Penny Juror revealed. But, despite winning the royal family‘s approval the pair split as it was tradition the heir to the throne find an “unblemished bride” and Charles was said to be devastated. This was the same reason Charles had been unable to marry Camilla when the pair dated in the early 1970s, before she wed Andrew Parker Bowles. Davina later married the love of her life Jake Morley in 1981, the same year that Charles wed Diana. Three years later they welcomed their first son Thomas in 1983, followed by William and Henry in 1987. Jake Morley died aged 80 in 2022. Davina was the granddaughter of Scottish industrialist Lord McGowan who chaired ICI for twenty years. Her cousin, Samantha Sheffield later married former Prime Minister David Cameron. She is survived by her three sons and two step-sons from her husband’s first marriage.