The Unofficial British Royal Family Pages

Wednesday 21 April 2004

Can Charles Marry Camilla?

That is the royal question of the new century. Everyone is asking if such a royal marriage can possibly come to pass. And behind the scenes, we may suspect, heaven and earth are quietly being moved to accomplish it.

Just what is needed to clear the obstacles facing Charles and Camilla? Here are a few suggestions.

1) The removal of the Church of England prohibition for divorced persons to remarry in the church. This is the most important issue facing the two royal lovers. The newly-appointed Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, is believed to favor this easement of doctrine, and to be working toward it. Since it will directly impact Charles' reign as King, and his constitutional role as Defender of the Faith, it should be addressed and settled as soon as possible.

2) For Charles to openly show respect to Diana's memory. The public perception is that he and his advisors have done all they could to erase the fact of her very existence. Public and media interest in her is as strong as ever, nearly seven years after her death. Her fans won't let her go. Charles would do well to accept this love as reality, and capitalize on it, by showing the compassionate feeling he undoubtedly still has for the mother of his children.

3) For Charles to become King before he remarries. Why? His mother, Elizabeth II, is patently devoted to her royal duty. It is the defining characteristic of her reign. In this she is very like her late mother, Queen Elizabeth, who is documented in many sources as being bitterly opposed to any royal divorce. No doubt because of the antics of King Edward VIII in this area, both the late Queen Mother and her eldest daughter for many years did not condone divorce, or the mere association with it, for anyone in the royal family.

Now Charles is still bound by that legacy, of putting duty above personal choices. Just as two of his siblings, and his late aunt, Princess Margaret, once were, to the postponement of their own happiness. No doubt he wishes to join the long line of British royals who married their mistresses: Edward IV (Elizabeth Woodville); Henry VIII (Anne Boleyn); James II (Anne Hyde); Edward VIII (Wallis Simpson).

But the point is that all of these were monarchs. They married their lovers because they could; they were for the most part absolute rulers. (Though in fairness, James may have been compelled, as a gentleman, to marry Anne because she was pregnant. And Edward VIII did not marry until after his abdication.) As a constitutional monarch, Charles may not ever enjoy that sort of personal freedom. But he will not have it at all until his mother is gone, and with her, that almost Victorian sense of royal honor and duty.

So these are some reasons why Charles can indeed marry Camilla, given world enough and time. There are major obstacles to a second royal marriage, but not ones impossible to overcome. Briefly, a few of the issues that could possibly be raised: 1) Opposition from William and Harry. 2) Opposition from the British Establishment, the Church of England and the Commonwealth, similar to that which Edward VIII faced. 3) The Diana inquest finding evidence of royal complicity in her death (admittedly, highly unlikely).

Attitudes and morals are changing rapidly with the new millennium. It may be that soon Charles can marry his lady love, regardless of divorce, Diana, and royal duty. Let us hope that whatever occurs, it is the best solution for all, and for Britain.
 

- Mel Whitney