Charles to wed Camilla

British heir to the throne Prince Charles announced yesterday he will marry long-time lover Camilla Parker-Bowles, the woman blamed for destroying his "fairytale" marriage to the late Princess Diana. Aware of public misgivings over his lover, Prince Charles ruled out Mrs Parker-Bowls becoming queen once he assumes the throne.

His mother Queen Elizabeth, who had been slow to accept the divorced mother of two, wished the pair well for their April 8 wedding in Windsor Castle, west of London.

The couple - lovers during Prince Charles' tumultuous marriage to Princess Diana - plan a quiet, civil ceremony, in sharp contrast to the dazzling church wedding to Diana, which was beamed worldwide from London's St Paul's Cathedral.

"It will not be huge like St Paul's. It is a largely private, family affair," a senior palace official said.

Mrs Parker-Bowles, 57, will take the official title of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall after marriage. Once Prince Charles becomes king, his wife will be called Princess Consort, a fudge aimed at killing off constitutional controversy.

"She would have to take the status of Prince Charles and ultimately queen unless there is legislation passed to the contrary. You would have to pass a special act of parliament," constitutional expert David Starkey told Reuters.

Royal aides insisted there was no need for new legislation and said her title was chosen because "they feel it is right".

Prince Charles, 56, was divorced in 1996 from Princess Diana, who blamed "rottweiler" Mrs Parker-Bowles and the prying media for the break-up of what had promised to be a dream union.

Prince Charles' sons William and Harry, next in line to the throne, wished the couple "all the luck in the future."

Mrs Parker-Bowles is the love of Prince Charles' life - the pair met over 30 years ago at a polo match and share a passion for country pursuits - but she has faced an uphill struggle to rival his former wife in the public's affection.

"They decided now is the right time. They have known each other for quite a long time and the possibility of marriage has always been there," said a senior royal aide.

Opinion polls show most Britons have gradually accepted the idea of their marrying but baulk at Mrs Parker-Bowles ever becoming queen.

Once Prince Charles succeeds his 78-year-old mother, he will be titular head of the Church of England, which had been bitterly divided over the prospect of Prince Charles marrying a divorcee.