Royal couple to confess
2005-04-07 17:03
London - Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles will acknowledge their "sins and wickedness" at a religious blessing following their wedding this weekend, British royal officials said on Thursday.
During the blessing by Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, the couple will join the congregation in reading the strongest act of penitence from the Anglican church's 1662 Book of Common Prayer.
This was chosen in place of more modern prayers of penitence for divorcees, as both Charles and Parker Bowles are.
The text, issued by Clarence House, Charles's London residence, reads:
"We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness,
"Which we, from time to time, most grievously have committed, by thought, word and deed,
"Against thy Divine Majesty,
"Provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us."
The blessing takes place on Saturday at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, the royal family's residence just west of London.
It will follow a civil marriage ceremony at Windsor's town hall, the Guildhall. The couple are holding a civil ceremony because, as divorcees, there would have been religious objections to an Anglican church wedding.
'The natural thing'
Royal officials also announced that the former head of the Anglican church and a well-known British actor will be among those giving readings at the blessing.
Former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord George Carey, who stepped down in 2002, will read from the Book of Revelation, a chapter of the Bible.
In June last year, Carey made a public call for the couple to formalise their long relationship through marriage, saying it would be "the natural thing" for them to do.
Veteran British actor Timothy West, a friend of both Charles and Parker Bowles, will also give a reading, officials from the prince's Clarence House residence told reporters.
West, 60, has appeared in films such as Cry Freedom and The Day of the Jackal, although he is better known in Britain for stage and television work.
The 45-minute blessing service in front of 800 guests will follow usual Church of England procedure, and has been arranged in close consultation with Williams.
"The focus of the service is the dedication and commitment by the couple and prayer and support for them in their life together," Clarence House said.
- AFP