THE Prince of Wales is to marry his long-time partner Camilla Parker Bowles - but she will never be Queen, Clarence House said today.

Mrs Parker Bowles will become HRH the Duchess of Cornwall when she weds Charles on Friday, April 8, and will be known as the Princess Consort if he becomes King.

The pair will marry in Windsor Castle.

Charles said he and his wife-to-be were "absolutely delighted" at their engagement.

The wedding will be a civil ceremony in Windsor Castle followed by a service of prayer and dedication in St George's Chapel at which the Archbishop of Canterbury will preside.

The marriage is a sensitive issue because Mrs Parker Bowles is divorced and her former husband is still alive.

If he became king, Charles would become the supreme governor of the Church of England and some Anglicans remain opposed to the remarriage of divorcees.

The Archbishop of Canterbury today endorsed the Prince of Wales' wedding plans saying: "These arrangements have my strong support and are consistent with Church of England guidelines concerning remarriage which the Prince of Wales fully accepts as a committed Anglican and as prospective Supreme Governor of the Church of England."

The Queen has given her son and heir formal permission to marry and also her warmest good wishes.

For more on this story see pages 4 & 5 of today's Daily Echo.