Prince Charles forgoes castle to wed in Windsor town hall

LONDON -- Instead of marrying surrounded by the opulence of Windsor Castle, Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles will wed, like thousands of Britons every year, at their local town hall.

Charles's Clarence House office announced yesterday that the April 8 union of the heir to the throne and his longtime love would take place at the Guildhall in Windsor, west of London, rather than at the castle as announced last week.

The change is a pragmatic move -- under British licensing law, registering the castle as a wedding venue would mean opening it up to commoners' weddings as well. Clarence House said holding the service in the 17th-century town hall also would allow the public to see the newlyweds arrive and leave, and would help to include the town in the day's events.

A blessing led by Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams after the ceremony will still take place at the castle's St. George's Chapel, followed by a reception at the castle's state apartments.

Windsor's town hall, the Guildhall, was built in 1690. A sturdy building of brick and Portland stone, partly designed by Christopher Wren, it is one of 29 approved venues for civil wedding ceremonies in the Windsor area. Local authorities charge $500 for a weekday ceremony -- plus $38 extra if, like Charles and Camilla, a couple wishes to wed on a Friday.

The town's mayor, Emrys Richards, said he was honored the prince and Parker Bowles had chosen the venue. "I don't think the couple will be disappointed with their choice," he said.

Local businesses were also looking forward to the big day. Chris Wilkes, manager of the Three Tuns pub next to the Guildhall, said Windsor hotels had been fully booked since the wedding date was announced a week ago.

"I think it's wonderful," he said of the venue change. "The whole public will be able to see it better."

The prince and Parker Bowles announced last week that they were to wed, after a 30-year on-and-off romance that endured through Charles's rocky marriage to the late Princess Diana.

Divorce is a delicate issue for the man who would be head of the Church of England. To salve concerns among traditional Anglicans, who frown on the remarriage of two divorcees, the couple said they would have a civil ceremony.

Parker Bowles will take the title of Her Royal Highness Princess Consort, rather than Princess of Wales, the title Diana used.