Royal marriage illegal?

The marriage between Britain's Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, could be challenged in court over a legal blunder.A legal expert has revealed that a law stating the British royal family may not have civil weddings in England was not changed before the prince wed in such a ceremony.Therefore, the union can be challenged if there are objections to Camilla becoming the Queen of England.Dr Stephen Cretney, of Oxford University, has accused the Lord Chancellor of ignoring legal advice and insists the blunder has damaged the rule of law.He told Britain's The Times newspaper: "The handling of these legal and constitutional questions seems to me to have been lamentable and to have had damaging consequences in terms, not only of the uncertainty and distress caused to the two individuals immediately concerned, but also of public respect for the legal system and the rule of law."Dr Cretney points out that when Charles inherits the throne from his mother, Queen Elizabeth, Camilla, as wife of the king will be queen by default, even if she doesn't use the title.It was not announced that Camilla would be known as the Duchess of Cornwall and Princess Consort, should the prince inherit the throne, until six weeks after the couple's marriage.Dr Cretney feels this delay only increased the legal question surrounding the union.A spokesperson for Clarence House responded by saying that four legal sources had "agreed that there was no bar to members of the royal family marrying in a civil ceremony."(C) BANG Media International