Charles, Camilla tie the knot
2005-04-09 13:48
Windsor - Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles married on Saturday at the 17th century Guildhall, capping a decades-long romance that survived scandal and turmoil through the prince's first marriage to Princess Diana.
Camilla now takes on Diana's previous status as Princess of Wales, although she plans to defer to public sentiment by avoiding the title and will instead be known as the Duchess of Cornwall.
To the cheers of an estimated 15 000 well-wishers and a few scattered boos, the couple was driven back to Windsor Castle in a vintage Rolls Royce as a jazz band played "Congratulations".
The bride-to-be was wearing an oyster silk basket-weave coat with a herringbone stitch and a matching chiffon dress. She also wore a matching straw and lace hat with feather details. Charles, in contrast to the military uniform he wore for his first wedding, donned formal morning wear.
Guests began to arrive at the wedding venue, the 17th century Guildhall, about half an hour before the ceremony was to begin.
Excited cheers greeted Prince William and Prince Harry as the formally attired young men arrived at the Guildhall. William smiled at the crowd, and Harry waved shyly.
As the couple arrived, there were some scattered boos and catcalls from onlookers but they were drowned out by overwhelming applause and cheer.
Nearly eight years after Diana's death, some have bridled at accepting Parker Bowles as a future queen, seeing her relationship with Charles as the reason his first marriage fell apart.
The wedding represents a break in tradition for the fifty-something divorcees who were getting married in a civil ceremony that Queen Elizabeth II was not attending. The queen is expected at a blessing ceremony scheduled for later in the day.
Lining the streets of this handsome old town buffed to a royal lustre for the wedding, the crowds waited in chilly sunshine for the nuptials, postponed a day for the pope's funeral.
Princess Consort
"It's up to him who he marries," said Barbara Murray, 41, who camped out in this royal hub overnight with her two daughters to stake out a vantage point to see the couple. "Whoever he chose wouldn't be the same as Diana."
"She broke up their marriage," said Yvonne Williams, 67, who raised a banner that read "Long live the Queen, Diana Forever: King Charles, Queen Camilla - Never."
Security was very tight. In addition to snipers on rooftops, plainclothes officers moved around in the crowd, sniffer dogs and police armed with handguns watched over streets around Windsor Castle.
Thames Valley Police, responsible outside the castle, had 550 officers on duty and Scotland Yard, which is in charge inside the castle had dozens, including sharpshooters.
After the civil ceremony, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams was to lead a blessing service in St George's Chapel, and the queen was to give a reception.
- AP