BRITAIN: Prince Charles's advisers were accused of being "wrong and arrogant" last night as it continued to resist suggestions that legislation is required if Camilla Parker Bowles is not eventually to become queen.
The charge came from Labour MP Andrew Mackinlay after Prince Charles's communications secretary Paddy Harverson said Mrs Parker Bowles's wishes were enough and that legislation would not be needed to settle an issue which has cast another shadow over the forthcoming royal marriage.
Mrs Parker Bowles, who will become the Duchess of Cornwall upon her marriage, made it clear she wants the title of princess consort, and not queen, when the Prince of Wales succeeds to the throne. However, Mr Harverson's assertion appeared again to contradict ministerial confirmation that the marriage scheduled for April 8th is not "morganatic" and that, without legislation determining her future position and status, Mrs Parker Bowles would automatically be entitled to be known as queen.
And last night Mr Mackinlay, who obtained the clarification of the government's view from the Department of Constitutional Affairs on Monday, said: "We are being asked to accept that the law is what they say it is. I don't accept that. They have missed the point. This is not a matter for them, it is a matter for Parliament. Parliament is the custodian of the constitution."
It is understood the government's advice, which has not been published, is that legislation would not be required to create the alternative title of princess consort.
However, Mr Harverson said the implication of some reporting on the issue was that Mrs Parker Bowles would have to be called queen unless there was new legislation.
And he insisted: "Mrs Parker Bowles can, as she wishes, be referred to as princess consort rather than queen. Legislation would only be required if it was deemed necessary to confirm formally that she should not have the title and status of queen."
Earlier yesterday 10 Downing Street had said it was not surprised by the official reply given to Mr Mackinlay by constitutional affairs minister Christopher Leslie.
"The position is as we have always believed it to be," said the prime minister's official spokesman.
On April 8th, just 30 people will attend Charles and Camilla's civil ceremony at Windsor town hall, a small venue just down the road from the imposing Windsor Castle.