Rosemary Pitman lived a quiet but full life. She loved her family, gardens, horses, and life in the country. She later became known as the second wife of Andrew Parker Bowles.
But Rosemary had a story of her own. She was a trained garden designer. She was also a mother of three sons. She had been married once before she found love with Andrew.
So, who was Rosemary Pitman? In this article, we will look at her early life, school, work, love of horses, first marriage, and children. Later, we will also learn about her life with Andrew and her final years.
Who Was Rosemary Pitman?
Rosemary Pitman was born Rosemary Dickinson. She was born in Northumberland, England. Her reported birth date was June 17, 1940. She was British.
Rosemary used more than one name during her life. After her first marriage, she became Rosemary Pitman. She later married Andrew Parker Bowles. After that, she was also known as Rosemary Parker Bowles.
Many people know her because of Andrew. He was once married to Camilla. But Rosemary was much more than a famous man’s wife. She had her own work, family, and interests.
Rosemary Pitman’s Early Life
Rosemary Pitman was born into the Dickinson family. Her father was Robert Dickinson. Her mother was Alice Barnett. Reports say Rosemary grew up in a well-off home.
Her father had a busy life. He worked in law and business. Reports also say he took part in the 1924 Olympic Games as a high jumper. This is an interesting part of Rosemary’s family story.
Very little is known about Rosemary’s brothers or sisters. She did not share much about her childhood with the public. Even later in life, she liked to keep many family matters private.
Rosemary Pitman profile summary and bio
| Full Name | Rosemary Dickinson |
| Known As | Rosemary Pitman |
| Birth Date | June 17, 1940 |
| Birthplace | Northumberland, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Parents | Robert Dickinson, Alice Barnett |
| School | St Mary’s School, Ascot |
| Profession | Garden Designer |
| Interests | Gardening, horses, riding |
| First Husband | Hugh Pitman |
| Second Husband | Andrew Parker Bowles |
| Wedding | February 7, 1996 |
| Children | Three sons |
| Sons | William, Henry, Thomas |
| Stepchildren | Tom Parker Bowles, Laura Lopes |
| Home | Wiltshire, England |
| Age at Death | 69 |
| Death Date | January 10, 2010 |
| Cause of Death | Cancer |
| Funeral | St Aldhelm’s Church, Malmesbury |
| Known For | Andrew Parker Bowles’ second wife |
Rosemary Pitman’s School Years
Rosemary Pitman went to school in England. Reports say she studied at St Mary’s School in Ascot. There are few public details about her time there.
After school, Rosemary spent some time working in London. She was still young and had much of her life ahead of her. Marriage and family would soon bring big changes.
During these early years, Rosemary also grew to love gardens. She enjoyed plants and outdoor spaces. This was not just a small hobby. Her love of gardens later became part of her work.
Rosemary Pitman’s Career in Gardening
Rosemary Pitman had a true love for gardening. She trained in garden design and worked in this field. This gave her a career of her own.
Her son Henry Pitman later spoke about his mother’s work. He said gardening had always been a great love in her life. He also said she was trained in garden design and did the work as a job.
Rosemary kept this love for many years. She enjoyed working with plants and making gardens look beautiful. When she later lived in Wiltshire, gardening stayed a big part of her daily life.
Some reports say Rosemary won awards for her garden work. However, the names of those awards are not clear. So, it is safer to say that she was a trained garden designer who worked in the field.
Rosemary Pitman’s Love for Horses
Gardens were not Rosemary’s only love. She also had a strong love for horses. Reports say she was a keen rider and enjoyed being around horses.
This love suited the country life she enjoyed. Riding gave Rosemary another way to spend time outdoors. Horses would also become something she shared with her second husband.
Andrew Parker Bowles was also known for his love of horses and polo. This gave Rosemary and Andrew a common interest. Both enjoyed the outdoor and country way of life.
For Rosemary, simple things seemed to matter a lot. Her family, garden, horses, and local life were all close to her heart. These interests stayed with her even when her name became better known.
Rosemary Pitman’s First Marriage
Rosemary Pitman first married in 1961. She was about 21 years old. Her husband was Hugh Pitman, who served in the British Army.
Hugh later became a lieutenant colonel. Reports say his family was linked to Sir Isaac Pitman. Sir Isaac was known for making a famous form of shorthand.
Army life brought many changes for Rosemary. Hugh’s work meant the family had to move. Rosemary spent time living in both England and Germany.
By the mid-1970s, the family had made a home at Foxley, near Malmesbury. This area later became very important in Rosemary’s life. She spent many years around the Malmesbury area.
Rosemary and Hugh later ended their marriage. The reason for their divorce was not made public. There is no need to guess about what happened between them.
Rosemary Pitman and Her Three Sons
Rosemary Pitman became a mother during her first marriage. She and Hugh had three sons. Their names are William, Henry, and Thomas Pitman.
Her sons were an important part of her life. Rosemary raised them while also dealing with the moves that came with Army life. Later, the family had a more settled home near Malmesbury.
Rosemary also found time for the things she loved. She worked with gardens and took part in village life. Her home, family, and outdoor life became a big part of her world.
Years later, Rosemary would marry Andrew Parker Bowles. Andrew already had two children, Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes, from his first marriage. Rosemary and Andrew did not have children together.
How Rosemary Pitman Met Andrew Parker Bowles
Rosemary Pitman and Andrew Parker Bowles did not come from two very different worlds. Their lives had crossed through Army and social circles. Andrew served in the same Army group as Rosemary’s first husband, Hugh Pitman.
This meant Rosemary and Andrew had known each other for some time. Their friendship later grew into love. By then, both had been through a first marriage.
Andrew had married Camilla Shand in 1973. They had two children, Tom and Laura. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1995. Camilla later married Prince Charles, who became King Charles III.
Rosemary had also ended her first marriage to Hugh. She was now ready for a new part of her life. This time, that new chapter was with Andrew.
Rosemary Pitman and Andrew’s 1996 Wedding
Rosemary Pitman and Andrew Parker Bowles married in 1996. Reports give their wedding date as February 7, 1996. It was the second marriage for both of them.
The couple chose a small wedding. They married at the Chelsea Register Office in London. It was not a huge royal event. Instead, they kept the day simple and low-key.
Reports say Rosemary and Andrew were both Catholic. Their marriage later received a church blessing. This was said to have taken place about a year after their civil wedding.
Their marriage started a new life for Rosemary. She became Rosemary Parker Bowles. Yet, she kept many of the things she already loved, such as her garden, horses, family, and country life.
Rosemary Pitman’s Married Life With Andrew
Rosemary and Andrew made their home around Brokenborough in Wiltshire. Rosemary already knew this part of England well. She had spent many years around the Malmesbury area.
The couple had many interests in common. They both loved horses and country life. Reports also link them with hunting and polo. Gardening remained one of Rosemary’s own great loves.
Rosemary also took part in village life. She did not leave her old interests behind after marrying Andrew. She kept working with gardens and enjoyed the quiet life around her home.
Rosemary and Andrew stayed married until her death in 2010. Their marriage lasted almost 14 years. During those years, they also stayed close to their children from their first marriages.
Rosemary Pitman and the Royal Family
Rosemary Pitman was not a royal. Still, her marriage to Andrew gave her a close link to the royal family. Andrew’s first wife, Camilla, later married Prince Charles.
One of the most interesting moments came in 2005. Rosemary and Andrew attended the wedding of Charles and Camilla. It may sound unusual, but the families were able to stay on friendly terms.
Reports also say Rosemary and Andrew joined Charles and Camilla at Sandringham on some visits. Rosemary was also part of the wider family around Andrew’s children, Tom and Laura.
There was another sign of these close ties after Rosemary died. Princess Anne was among the people who attended her funeral. Andrew and Princess Anne had known each other for many years.
Rosemary Pitman’s Final Years
The final years of Rosemary Pitman’s life were hard. She was diagnosed with cancer. Reports say she lived with the illness for several years.
Some reports say Rosemary had breast cancer. She went through treatments that included chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Sadly, the treatment could not cure her illness.
Even so, Rosemary continued to enjoy the things she loved. She spent time with her family. She also kept her love for gardens and country life. Her son Henry later spoke about the strength she showed during this time.
Family gave Rosemary joy in her final years. She also saw her family grow as grandchildren arrived. Reports say Andrew’s daughter Laura welcomed twin boys, Gus and Louis, shortly before Rosemary died.
Rosemary died on January 10, 2010. She was 69 years old. She died at her home in Wiltshire with loved ones around her.
Her body was later cremated in a private service. Reports say her ashes were placed in her garden. It was a touching choice for a woman who had loved gardens for so much of her life.
A funeral service was held on January 19, 2010, at St Aldhelm’s Catholic Church in Malmesbury. Family and friends later came together again for a service in London to remember her life.
(FAQs)
How old was Rosemary Pitman, and when was her birthday?
Rosemary Pitman was born on June 17, 1940. She was 69 years old when she died in January 2010.
Who was Rosemary Pitman’s first husband?
Rosemary’s first husband was Hugh Pitman, a British Army officer. They married in 1961 and had three sons before their marriage ended.
Where was Rosemary Pitman’s funeral held?
Rosemary’s funeral service was held at St Aldhelm’s Catholic Church in Malmesbury on January 19, 2010. Princess Anne was among the mourners.
When did Rosemary Pitman marry Andrew Parker Bowles?
Rosemary and Andrew Parker Bowles married on February 7, 1996, at Chelsea Register Office in London. It was the second marriage for both.
When and how did Rosemary Pitman die?
Rosemary Pitman died on January 10, 2010, after living with cancer for several years. She died at her home in Wiltshire at age 69.
Final Thoughts
Rosemary Pitman may be best known as Andrew Parker Bowles’ second wife, but her story was much bigger than that. She was a mother, garden designer, horse lover, and a woman who enjoyed country life.
Before Andrew, Rosemary had married Hugh Pitman and raised three sons. She built a home near Malmesbury and followed her love of gardening. Later, she found love again with Andrew and married him in 1996.
Their marriage lasted almost 14 years. It also gave Rosemary an unusual link to Camilla and the royal family. Yet, Rosemary continued to live a fairly quiet life with her family, horses, and gardens.
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