Rev Hawthorne: the church should have a say

The Reverend Hawthorne speaking on BBC Radio 4's PMprogramme

Married Charles Could Not Head Church Says Vicar

It's the first time that The Reverend John Hawthorne, the vicar of Tetbury in Gloucestershire, has spoken about the relationship, and it comes as the Prince is preparing to host a party celebrating Mrs Parker-Bowles's 50th birthday.

Speaking on the BBC's One O'clock news the Reverend Hawthorne said: "I do not see how he could be Defender of the Faith of a church whose laws, whose rules and teachings he is ignoring, being an admitted adulterer, perhaps unrepentant - and certainly if he married Mrs Parker Bowles he would be an unrepentant adulterer."

Camilla - 50 today

Rev Hawthorne also said that the church would have to decide how to deal with the relationship rather than ignoring it. "The church has got to have a role and has got to state its mind," he said.

The Prince is said to have worshipped several times at the Tetbury church. He is hosting a lavish 50th birthday party for Mrs Parker Bowles at Highgrove on Friday night.

The party, thought to be costing the Prince about £30,000, is taking place against a backdrop of media speculation about his relationship with Camilla and their possible marriage plans.

The Prime Minister has Been Briefed

The briefing document was prepared by Alex Allan, the Prime Minister's private secretary, and details the legal and constitutional obstacles that stand between the divorced Prince marrying a divorcee and then ascending to the throne.

The Prime Minister is unlikely to take any action against such a marriage if it is supported by the majority of public opinion.

The main legal obstacle to the couples marriage remains in the hands of the Queen. Under the Royal Marriages Act of 1772 the monarch can veto any marriage of a descendent of King George II.

If Charles were to marry Ms Parker-Bowles and then ascend to the throne she would become the Princess of Wales, in the first instance and then Queen Consort.

The attitude of the Palace is, at present, against the couple marrying.