The Hindu : International : A royal surprise, at long last

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 11, 2005

International

International

A royal surprise, at long last

By Hasan Suroor

The Princess and the Prince of Wales wave from their carriage in London on their wedding day, in this July 29, 1989 photo. — AP

LONDON, FEB. 10. Prince Charles and his companion Camilla Parker Bowles will marry on April 8, more than 30 years after they first met at a polo match triggering what was to become one of the longest and most controversial courtships of modern times. This marks the end of years of speculation over their relationship.

An official announcement from Prince Charles's office on Thursday morning took even close observers of the British royalty by surprise. It also provoked the kind of media frenzy that is normally associated with big international events. Reports suggested that the royal family was forced to make the announcement after a newspaper got hold of the story and intended to run it regardless of the confirmation.

Delight

A beaming Prince Charles said he and Ms. Parker Bowles were "delighted'' but refused to answer questions from reporters who pursued him throughout the day. At one point he stopped and said: "Thank you. You have been very kind.'' The Prime Minister, Tony Blair, sent his Cabinet's good wishes to the couple.

Sympathetic reaction

Although the issue has divided the nation deeply, with nearly half the Britons questioned in a recent poll saying they were opposed to the marriage, the immediate reaction on Thursday was more sympathetic. Straw polls by television channels indicated a sense of relief that the controversy was settled once and for all. But some called it an "insult'' to the memory of the late Princess Diana who, in a memorable TV interview, had attributed the breakdown of her marriage with Prince Charles to his relationship with Ms. Parker Bowles.

Diana's family declined to make any comment. And there was no immediate word from her sons, William and Harry. But royal sources were reported as saying that the children were happy for their father. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh offered their "warmest good wishes'' to the couple.

As the Church of England does not approve of remarriage of divorcees, there will be no church wedding. According to indications, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, will preside over a service of prayer and dedication after a civil marriage. The wedding, which will take place at St. George's Cathedral at the Windsor Castle, is expected to be a private and low-key affair. That will be in stark contrast to the Charles-Diana "fairy-tale'' wedding in 1981. For that event, more than 500,000 people turned up. There were street celebrations all over the country.

As experts pondered the constitutional implications of the heir to the throne marrying a divorcee, it was made clear that in the event of Prince Charles becoming King, Ms. Parker Bowles would not be called Queen Camilla. She would be known as the Princess Consort. After the marriage, she will take the title of Her Royal Highness, Duchess of Cornwall.

Ms. Parker Bowles is 57 and the Prince is 56. She has two children from her previous marriage to Andrew Parker Bowles, who is a former cavalry officer.

Prince Charles was said to have been devastated when she married Mr. Parker Bowles and never got over his passion for her even after a love marriage with Diana who famously told the TV interviewer: "There were three in a marriage, so it was a bit crowded.''

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International