THE DUCHESS of Westminster won't be attending tomorrow's marriage between Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles.
But Grosvenor Estate officials are quick to make clear this should not be interpreted as a snub.
They say the Duke will be attending but his wife can't because she will be returning from an overseas holiday.
Charles and Camilla pulled out as guests at the wedding of the Westminsters' daughter Lady Tamara last November at chester-cathedral>Chester Cathedral allegedly because the couple were annoyed Camilla was to be seated away from her partner and would have to arrive and leave in separate cars.
The Chester Cathedral wedding is said to have been a catalyst for Charles and Camilla deciding to put their relationship on an official footing by finally tying the knot.
Vicky Bolton, personal assistant to the Duke of Westminster, said: 'His Grace is going. Unfortunately Her Grace and the children cannot go as they are away and returning on that day.'
Asked whether the move should be regarded as a snub, she stressed: 'Absolutely not. For a wedding of this nature there has not been a long build up and Her Grace has gone overseas with the children for the Easter holidays and it would not work.'
She explained that His Grace, who will be attending Saturday's wedding reception in Windsor, was not available for comment this week as he was in Iraq in his role as a Major General of the Territorial Army.
The Duke of Westminster is a close friend of Prince Charles and both he and his wife were friendly with Princes Diana who was Godmother to their second child, Lady Edwina.
It was from Eaton Hall that Charles made the 1989 phone call that was overheard and recorded by scanners and became known as 'Camillagate'.
The Sunday Express newspaper had claimed the Bishop of Chester was opposed to the marriage of Charles and Camilla because of their adultery
and alleged he was responsible for seating arrangements at last November's wedding at Chester Cathedral which so offended the couple.
But the Bishop said there was 'no truth in it' and got a letter published in the Sunday Express to that effect.
This week he told The Chronicle: 'I am pleased that Prince Charles and Camilla are getting married and I wish them every happiness together.'
Chester MP Christine Russell has also given her support and said she had only received one letter from a constituent opposed to the marriage.
Prince Charles is also the Earl of Chester but it remains unclear whether Camilla, who will be known as the
Duchess of Cornwall, will also use the title of Countess of Chester traditionally adopted by the wife of the Earl. Diana used the title and the Countess of Chester Hospital, which she opened, was named after her.
The Duke of Westminster appeared in Sunday's episode of the BBC1 series The Queen's Castle about life at Windsor Castle which featured the Garter Day ceremony, when viewers were introduced to the Military Knights whose number includes the Duke.
He was appointed a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter in 2003. david.holmes@cheshirenews.co.uk
