The Prince of Wales and Camilla Parker Bowles have changed the venue of their civil wedding ceremony from Windsor Castle to the nearby Guildhall.
The couple decided that licensing the royal palace would cause too much disruption and opted for the lower key Guildhall, which acts as Windsor’s town hall and is already licensed for marriage ceremonies.
In an announcement that also gave details about the wedding dress and rings, Clarence House said the new venue, which was completed by Sir Christopher Wren, would allow the public to cheer the newlyweds as they arrive and leave.
Licensing issues arose after officials realised that, if the royal couple had gone ahead with their original choice, members of the public may have subsequently been permitted to wed in the Castle.
Advertisement
A Clarence House spokesman said: “There were a number of issues around the licence. It would have meant that the rooms which are normally open to the public would have to be closed numerous times.
“Thousands of people visit the Castle each year. A licence is not just for one event.”
The civil ceremony on April 8 will still be followed by prayer and service led by Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Queen will give a reception in the State Apartments at Windsor Castle.
Clarence House also announced that Mrs Parker Bowles has chosen Robinson Valentine to design her wedding outfit and Philip Treacy to design her hat for the big day, ending speculation about her choice of dress.
Robinson Valentine, the Kensington-based design company of Anna Valentine and Antonia Robinson, were tipped to be selected, as they have designed the outfits for some of her recent public appearances. Irish-born Philip Treacy, who has a London studio, crafted the hat that Mrs Parker Bowles wore for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Officials said Mrs Parker Bowles’s hairdresser would be Hugh Green of Hugh and Stephen.
Advertisement
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. It was mined by Cambrian Goldfields and previous royal wedding rings were made from 22ct gold from the same mine. The rings are being made to a traditional design by Wartski, a privately owned jewellery company based in London.
Following a tradition begun by the Queen Mother in 1923, Welsh gold has been used for royal brides ever since, including Diana, Princess of Wales.
The wedding announcement earlier this month ended years of speculation about the Prince and his romance with the divorcee he first met in 1970. Mrs Parker Bowles, 57, will take the title HRH Duchess of Cornwall and will be known as Princess Consort if the Prince becomes King.
Advertisement