Britain's Royal Family in the news

Prince Charles has created a minor tiff by failing to rule out that his wife Camilla (the Duchess of Cornwall) might become Queen after he succeeds to the throne. The Royal Family had made strong representations to the effect that she would be styled as the "Princess Consort." Camilla's popularity has risen somewhat in recent years but she still lingers in the shadow of the late Princess Diana.

On a more sanguine note, Prince William and his fiance Miss Middleton are busy planning their wedding. At present they are hoping to marry on a weekend with the view to creating a Bank Holiday for the population. No dates are firm but the couple are eying late April as a possible time frame. Among other considerations favoring this is that it would place the wedding safely after Easter and Lent. H.M. The Queen follows the rather old fashioned custom of not entertaining or attending major functions during the Great Fast.

A sober sign of Kate Middleton's transition from royal girlfriend, to prospective future Queen was also visible in the last couple of days. She is now being accompanied by plainclothes police officers whenever in public. As a member of the Royal Family she will have to get use to around the clock protection. In Britain royal security is usually a bit less heavy-handed than what we are use to in the United States. Scotland Yard has a special squad of armed officers who discreetly watch over all the members of the Royal Family.