Charles to marry Camilla
Prince Charles is set to marry his long-term partner, Camilla Parker Bowles, Clarence House said today.
The Queen issued her “warmest wishes” to the couple, who will be wed at Windsor Castle on April 8.
Mrs Parker Bowles will assume the title of Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall after the marriage. She would not become Queen Camilla if Prince Charles took the throne, but would instead take the title of Princess Consort.
Prime Minister Tony Blair said he was “delighted” at the news. Speaking after this morning’s Cabinet meeting, he said: “We all wish them every happiness for their future together.”
Today’s announcement ends years of speculation about the future of the couple, who first met in 1971. Princess Diana famously said there were “three people in our marriage”, referring to Mrs Parker Bowles’ continuing friendship with her husband.
A statement issue on behalf of the Queen today said: “The Duke of Edinburgh and I are very happy that the Prince of Wales and Mrs Parker-Bowles are to marry.
“We have given them our warmest good wishes for their future together.”
The marriage is likely to cause controversy because Mrs Parker-Bowles is divorced.
Prince Charles would become head of the Church of England if he became king, but many Anglicans object to the re-marriage of divorcees.
But, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, said he welcomed the news, and has accepted an invitation to preside at a prayer service that will follow the civil ceremony.
Dr Williams said: “I am pleased that Prince Charles and Mrs Camilla Parker Bowles have decided to take this important step. I hope and pray that it will prove a source of comfort and strength to them and to those who are closest to them.”
He added: “These arrangements have my strong support and are consistent with Church of England guidelines concerning remarriage which the Prince of Wales fully accepts as a committed Anglican and as prospective Supreme Governor of the Church of England.”
Congratulations to the couple have come in from senior politicians.
Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy, said: “We congratulate Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles and we wish them all future happiness.”
Prince Charles, the heir to the throne, was divorced from Princess Diana when she died in a car crash in Paris in 1997.
The prince, who has two sons, William and Harry, has in recent months begun to introduce Mrs Parker-Bowles into his official engagements.
