BRITAIN: Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles have changed the venue for their wedding on April 8th. The couple had planned to hold their civil ceremony in Windsor Castle, but Clarence House yesterday cited licensing problems as it confirmed the formal marriage ceremony would now take place at the Guildhall in Windsor.
The change of plan emerged with the news that Mrs Parker Bowles - soon to be Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall - has chosen Robinson Valentine to design her wedding outfit, and Irish designer Philip Treacy to design her hat.
Following last week's announcement of Prince Charles's intended second marriage, it was suggested that licensing Windsor Castle for the purpose would mean members of the public would subsequently be entitled to marry there. A Clarence House spokesman said simply that "there were a number of issues around the licence" and that licensing the royal castle would cause too much disruption: "Thousands of people visit the castle each year. A licence is not just for one event."
Clarence House said the new venue would allow the public to see the couple arrive and leave the civil ceremony, which will still be followed by a prayer service led by the Archbishop of Canterbury in the castle's St George's Chapel. The Guildhall, completed by Sir Christopher Wren, is close by the castle.
Some 700 guests will gather to watch the couple take their vows in a civil ceremony unprecedented for a future king and governor of the Church of England. After the prayer service and blessing Queen Elizabeth will host a reception in the State Apartments.
In keeping with royal tradition the gold for the couple's wedding rings has come from the Clogau St David's mine in Bontddu, north Wales.
There was no surprise in Mrs Parker Bowles's choice of designers. Robinson Valentine, the Kensington-based design company of Anna Valentine and Antonia Robinson, has already designed the outfits for some of her most important public appearances. For Queen Elizabeth's golden jubilee the Robinson Valentine bronze and ivory linen ensemble was also worn with a Philip Treacy hat.
It was reported earlier this week that the queen has insisted at least one tradition be observed and that the couple remain apart on the night before the wedding.