Scottish wedding for Charles?

LONDON, JUNE 18. Given that the Church of England discourages remarriage of divorcees, Prince Charles and his lover, Ms. Camilla Parker-Bowles, are said to be exploring the possibility of marriage in the Church of Scotland. According to a source close to one of Queen Elizabeth's chaplains in Scotland, quoted in a Sunday Times report, ``The Prince has been told that there would be no obstacle to his marrying here. He and Ms. Parker- Bowles would be very welcome.''

The Church of Scotland allows divorcees to marry in church.

Princess Anne, who had divorced her previous husband, Mr. Mark Phillips, married Mr. Tim Laurence in 1992 in Crathie Parish Church on the Balmoral Royal Estate in Scotland.

``St. James's Palace (Charles' office) is exploring the feasibility and ramifications of marriage in the Church of Scotland,'' friends of the Moderator (head) of the Church of Scotland, Andrew McLellan, told the paper.

Disclosure of the contacts follows the Prince's unexpected decision to bring Ms. Bowles to a function at Holyroodhouse while he was acting as Lord High Commissioner during the Church of Scotland's general assembly last month.

Prince Charles had previously ruled out the prospect of remarriage and the official St. James's line is that it is not on the agenda. Ms. Bowles has made similar statements, but there is concern among churchmen on the prospect of a king openly ``living in sin''.

The Times also quoted a senior Buckingham Palace official as saying: ``It is Charles's long-term intention to marry Camilla.''

The moves follow a clear indication from George Carey, the Archbishop of Canterbury, that remarriage in the Church of England would not be possible with the Church's full blessing.

- DPA

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Section  : International
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