AFTER years of speculation and a romance which has spanned decades, the Prince of Wales is to marry Camilla Parker Bowles, it was announced today

The wedding will take place at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on Friday, April 8.

It has also been revealed that Camilla will be bestowed the title of Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall.

One key question to be resolved, however, is what Camilla's title will be when Charles becomes King, and if she will become Queen Camilla. A Downing Street spokeswoman said: "We have nothing to say at the moment."

There has been no official comment from the Queen.

House of Commons Leader Peter Hain was set to make a statement to MPs about the marriage this lunchtime.

Mrs Parker Bowles's current position means her status has been dogged with problems, including her seating away from the heir to the throne at social functions .

Recent events, though, such as their first public kiss and Camilla's formal introduction to the Queen, seem to show that the both the Royal Family and the British people are slowly coming to terms with what Prince Charles has called the "non-negotiable" part of his life.

For more on this story see today's Daily Echo.