Prayers snub for Camilla

Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, is being snubbed by the most important Jewish religious leader in Britain.

Prince Charles's new wife will not be mentioned in Jewish prayers for the royal family, despite the fact he is mentioned by name.

The office of the Chief Rabbi, Dr Jonathan Sacks, has decided not to change the wording of prayers read out for the royal family at synagogues which come under his jurisdiction. These prayers name the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales. Before her death Diana, Princess of Wales, was also named.

The Chief Rabbi's decision follows a similar one by the Federation of Synagogues, which has instructed its congregations not to mention Camilla by name.

It is understood it is because she took part in an adulterous relationship and the Chief Rabbi's office is fearful of provoking anger among more conservative followers.

It is bound to cause anger among more liberal Jews who would see the snub as hypocritical, given that Charles also committed adultery.

The Chief Rabbi's office refused to explain why it had taken the decision and would only say "a discussion" had taken place.

The Evening Standard understands some members of the Chief Rabbi's cabinet were angry at the prospect of a woman who had committed adultery and been material in the failure of the Prince of Wales's first marriage receiving a special mention in prayers.

Rabbi Yitzchok, head of family affairs in the cabinet, has condemned what he calls the "crime" of the royal couple's adulterous relationship.

The posting on the website of his Mill Hill congregation states: "The marriage of Charles and Camilla made a mockery of all things sacred, including religion as well as matrimony."

At the Saatchi Synagogue in West Hampstead, which attracts a large number of young professionals, administrator Suzanne Landau said: "She is his wife. They have admitted adultery and apologised for it, so of course they should both be named. I think many younger members of synagogues would agree."

A spokesman for the Chief Rabbi, who is head of Britain's 300,000 Orthodox Jews, said: "There will be no change to the wording of our prayers. Camilla was never in them and this is not intended as a snub."

The Chief Rabbi was forced to decline an invitation to the royal blessing last weekend because it fell on the Jewish Sabbath.