THE Bishop of Chester has categorically denied causing the Prince of Wales and his partner Camilla Parker Bowles to pull out of attending Chester's own 'royal wed-ding'.
A Sunday newspaper reported that Rt Rev Dr Peter Forster intervened regarding the high profile guest list at the wedding of Lady Tamara Grosvenor and Edward van Cutsem at Chester Cathedral on Saturday.
An anonymous member of the van Cutsem family claimed the bishop made clear that he considered it inappropriate for him to greet Charles, the future head of the Church of England, 'with his mistress on his arm' in the presence of the Queen, the current head of the Church.
But Bishop Peter, who was upset by the story in the Sunday Express, says the story is untrue.
He told The Chronicle: 'The simple answer is there is no truth in it and I can be categorical. I had no part to play in any discussions which led to the decision by the Prince of Wales not to attend. I played no part in any discussions which led to the decision.'
It had been claimed Bishop Peter, who performed the blessing at the ceremony on Saturday, expressed his misgivings at the wedding rehearsal exactly one week earlier, but the bishop says he was actually in Scotland at the time.
He said: 'The reason I didn't have a role was because it was a private occasion, a private wed-ding. The question of whether guests come or not is a question for the families. The fact that so many members of the royal family were coming gave a public element to it, but fundamentally it was at their invitation that I played a part in a family occasion.'
Bishop Peter's comments seem to indicate that original suggestions about a feud between the van Cutsems and Camilla Parker Bowles may be the real reason for her and Prince Charles pulling out.
Asked whether he personally would have had a problem with Charles and Camilla's attendance in Chester Cathedral, he said: 'I'm not prepared to comment'.
Bishop Peter cannot discount the possibility that the journalist concerned spoke to a member of the van Cutsem family but he suspects the story came from a freelance journalist 'wanting to make some money' .
He said the reporter rang his office and was informed the rumour was incorrect but chose to ignore the advice. He said other newspapers didn't run the story because they knew it was untrue. He said the idea of suing was a last resort.
Bishop Peter said: 'It's always upsetting when any untruth is told. The occasion itself was splendid. It was brilliantly organised and at the centre of it all was a very happy couple.
'They are a very happy couple and it was a very happy occasion all round and it did Chester proud. Both families were delighted with Chester Cathedral - I take no credit for that, that's down to the dean and fellows.'
The bishop's press officer Steve Regan has confirmed he will be writing to the editor of the Sunday Express pointing out in the strongest terms that their story was factually incorrect.
