Wedding to go ahead even if it clashes with funeral

Prince Charles will go ahead with his wedding to Camilla Parker Bowles despite a possible clash with the funeral of the Pope, Clarence House said today.

The Vatican says Pope John Paul II will lie in state for four to six days as thousands flock to Rome to pay their respects. The "most concrete" funeral date is Friday, but a final decision will be taken today after a meeting of the cardinals.

This means Tony Blair, the Archbishop of Canterbury and even Prince Philip may miss the wedding and be in Rome instead.

"We have to admit the timing is not particularly good," a top Clarence House aide said. Buckingham Palace is today due to announce which royal family member will represent the Queen at the funeral.

Normally Prince Charles would attend, but the Duke of York may go instead. Prince Philip is already out of the country but he could go to Rome.

Princess Michael of Kent and the Duchess of Kent, both Roman Catholics, will not now attend Prince Charles's wedding.