Charles, Prince of Wales

:Prince Charles redirects here. For other people known as Prince Charles, see Prince Charles (disambiguation).

Relationship with Camilla Parker Bowles

During a 1994 television interview Charles admitted that he had committed adultery 'once it had become clear my marriage was over'. It was later confirmed that the third party was Camilla, ending years of speculation. After his divorce from Diana, Princess of Wales, the Prince of Wales's relationship with Camilla Parker Bowles eventually became openly acknowledged, with her becoming his unofficial consort. However, with the death of Diana in 1997, Camilla's gradual emergence in the public eye came to a temporary halt. In 1998 Camilla's formal introduction was gathering momentum and a meeting with Prince William helped break the ice and pave the way for more frequent social events involving Charles' sons. In 1999, after a party celebrating the 50th birthday of Camilla's sister Annabel Elliott, they were photographed in public together. Many saw this as a sign that their relationship was now regarded as "official". In a further effort to gain acceptance of the relationship, in June 2000 Camilla met the Queen. In 2001 Charles and Camilla shared their first public kiss; he was her guest at a charity function she hosted and upon his arrival he kissed her affectionately on both cheeks. Eventually in 2003, Camilla moved into Charles' homes at Highgrove and Clarence House, although Buckingham Palace points out that public funds were not used in the decoration of her suites.

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Marriage remained elusive, with two main issues requiring resolution and acceptance. As future Supreme Governor of the Church of England, the prospect of his marrying Mrs Parker Bowles, with whom he had had a relationship while both were married, was seen as controversial by some. Both the Prince and Mrs Parker Bowles had divorced their spouses, but as her former husband was still alive (although re-married to his long-time mistress), her remarriage was likely to be more problematic, and controversial. Over time, opinion — both public and within the Church — shifted somewhat to a point where a second marriage would be accepted.

Related Topics:
Supreme Governor - Church of England

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Second marriage

:See also: The wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla Parker Bowles.

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On 10 February 2005, it was announced by Clarence House http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/news/2005/02.feb/marriage.php that the Prince of Wales and Mrs Parker Bowles would marry on 8 April of that year, in a civil ceremony at Windsor Castle, with a subsequent religious blessing at the castle's St George's Chapel. Subsequently, the location was changed to the Guildhall in Windsor, possibly because of the discovery that Windsor Castle might have to become available for other people's weddings, should theirs be performed there. On Monday 4 April, it was announced that the wedding would be delayed for one day to 9 April to allow the Prince of Wales and some of the invited dignitaries to attend the funeral of Pope John Paul II.

Related Topics:
10 February - 2005 - Clarence House - 8 April - Windsor Castle - St George's Chapel - Guildhall - Windsor - 4 April - 9 April - Pope John Paul II

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The Prince was the first member of the royal family to marry in a civil ceremony in England.

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Dr Stephen Chetney, a Fellow at All Souls College, Oxford questioned whether Charles and Camilla could marry in a civil ceremony, as the Royal Family was specifically excluded from the law which instituted civil marriages in England (the Marriage Act 1836). The BBC's Panorama published official documents which establish prior legal opinion that royals cannot be married in civil ceremonies in England, but Clarence House rejected this advice. Lord Falconer of Thoroton told the House of Lords http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld199900/ldhansrd/pdvn/lds05/text/50224-51.htm#50224-51_head0 that the 1836 Act had been repealed by the Marriage Act 1949 which had different wording, and that the British Government were satisfied that it was lawful for the couple to marry by a civil ceremony in accordance with Part III of the 1949 Act. Eleven objections were received by the Cirencester and Chippenham registry offices but were all rejected by the Registrar General (and National Statistician) Len Cook http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/news/Marriage_statement.asp.

Related Topics:
All Souls College - Marriage Act 1836 - BBC - Panorama - Lord Falconer of Thoroton - House of Lords - Marriage Act 1949 - British Government - Registrar General - National Statistician

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It was announced that, after the marriage, as the wife of the Prince of Wales, Mrs Parker Bowles would be styled Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall and that upon the Prince's accession to the throne, she would not be known as Queen Camilla but as Her Royal Highness The Princess Consort. This form of address is believed to be based on that used by Queen Victoria's husband Prince Albert, who was styled as Prince Consort. The best wishes from Queen Elizabeth http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page3742.asp indicated that consent has been granted under the Royal Marriages Act 1772.

Related Topics:
Duchess of Cornwall - Princess Consort - Queen Victoria - Prince Albert - Prince Consort - Royal Marriages Act 1772

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