Royal wedding postponed

The Prince of Wales's wedding to Camilla Parker Bowles is to be postponed to Saturday, Clarence House announced today.

The Prince of Wales's wedding to Camilla Parker Bowles is to be postponed to Saturday, Clarence House announced today.

Charles will be representing the Queen at the funeral of Pope John Paul II on Friday instead.

A spokesman said the Prince took the decision with Mrs Parker Bowles after returning today from his skiing trip.

Camilla will not be accompanying the Prince to the funeral.

A Clarence House spokesman said: "HRH the Prince will attend the funeral ofPope John Paul II in Rome.

"As a mark of respect His Royal Highness and Mrs Parker Bowles have decided to postpone their wedding until Saturday."

Charles called a meeting immediately after returning from Klosters and was said to have been "very keen" to be sensitive about the issue.No further details have been released at this stage.

Buckingham Palace said the Prince would be representing the Queen at the Pope'sfuneral.

"That must take priority," said a Palace spokeswoman.

"Diaries are being rescheduled to fit the royal wedding in on Saturday."

The Duke of Edinburgh had a prior evening engagement at a dinner in Greenwich and would still be able to honour the commitment, said the spokeswoman.