Royal sons bear witness
2005-03-23 21:53
London - The sons of Britain's Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles will serve as witnesses at next month's civil wedding, which also will be attended by immediate family, the prince's office said on Wednesday.
The heir to the throne's elder son, Prince William, whose mother was the late Princess Diana, and Tom Parker Bowles will be witnesses at the April 8 wedding at the town hall in Windsor, west of London, said Charles's office, Clarence House.
In a statement flushing out details about the marriage, it also revealed that Charles's younger brothers, Princes Andrew and Edward, as well as his sister, Princess Anne, would attend the ceremony.
Their mother, Queen Elizabeth, however, has already decided that she would be absent along with their father, Prince Philip.
Royal aides announced last month that the queen declined to attend the civil ceremony in deference to their wishes for a "low-key" event, but would be present afterward for the blessing in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.
A major snub, say royal-watchers
However, royal watchers in the British media called her planned absence a major snub and scoffed at the excuse given, suggesting it was because she was unhappy the pair had been forced to marry in an ordinary town hall.
The couple had dropped plans to wed in Windsor Castle because it did not have the correct licence for a civil ceremony.
Also attending the wedding will be Charles's younger son, Prince Harry, and Camilla's daughter, Laura, as well as Camilla's father, Major Bruce Shand, said the prince's office.
The prince and Camilla will arrive together and leave the Guildhall by car from Windsor Castle.
They will be driven in a 1962 Rolls Royce Phantom V, previously used by the late Queen Mother.
A meeting with the registrar will take place ahead of the ceremony in the Guildhall's Ascot Room.
The Daily Mirror newspaper had reported last month that Charles's siblings would stay away from the ceremony.