Prince Charles could be barred from marrying Camilla in a civil ceremony, legal experts have warned. Plans have been drawn up for the couple to marry in a low-key ceremony at Windsor Castle, followed by a chapel blessing. But in a BBC Panorama television special last night, family law experts said there were "serious doubts" over the couple's wedding plans, arguing that the 1836 Marriage Act barred the royal family from civil marriages.
"I was very surprised when I heard this was proposed," said Stephen Cretney, Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford. "The legislation which governs civil marriage in England is expressed not to apply to members of the royal family. "There is no statutory procedure whereby members of the royal family can marry in a register office."
Were the couple to wed under current legislation, Dr Cretney said the Prince of Wales would not be legally married and Camilla would not be his wife. "This would be a very, very serious matter," he said.
Valentine Le Grice QC, a specialist in family law, said a "heavy question mark" hung over the proposed marriage. "It would not be possible for them to get married in the way most people understand a register office marriage," he said. "It is not open to the two of them to follow the normal procedures of a registry marriage."
Clarence House said it had taken advice from four independent legal experts and said there was nothing in law which would prevent Charles and Camilla getting married.
The warnings came as it was revealed today that Camilla could still become Queen if public opinion swings in her favour. Mrs Parker Bowles will be the first Princess Consort, reflecting the huge public opposition to her becoming Queen. But senior courtiers admitted that they had deliberately left the possibility of her becoming Queen open if there is a change in the public mood. "When the time comes, which we hope is a long way off, an option would be to reflect the mood in the country at that time," a senior aide to the Prince of Wales told The Times.
Yesterday Charles and Camilla attended a church service near the Prince's Highgrove home, joining a congregation of 34 people in St Lawrence's Church in Didmarton, Gloucestershire. They appeared not to have decided how to spend St Valentine's Day today. Asked if they had any plans, Mrs Parker Bowles said: "Not as yet." The Rev Christopher Mulholland said there was a great sense of goodwill in the church as Charles and Camilla took their seats. "I prayed for their happiness," he said.
Some things just boggle. Leave them alone, for crying out loud. They've been bonkers for each other for 30 years. |