Will the nation still rejoice?

YORK woke to brilliant blue skies on Wednesday, July 29, 1981. It was a perfect summer's day and most folk were on holiday in celebration of the wedding of Prince Charles and his young love, Lady Diana Spencer.

The city was in the mood for a party. More than 30 streets had permission to close to host street parties that day and a fireworks display was planned for later that evening on the River Ouse.

Most shops were shut and many of them had taken up the Chamber of Commerce's challenge to decorate their windows with a Royal Wedding theme.

The city centre was empty - most people were at home watching wall-to-wall wedding coverage on the television which began at breakfast time in the lead up to the 11am ceremony at St Paul's Cathedral. Around the globe, some 800 million people tuned in to the event, dubbed the Greatest Show On Earth.

In York, pubs were given an extension to stay open until midnight, allowing people to raise a leisurely glass to the royal couple.

The mood was optimistic and joyful. The marriage of Shy Di to her worldly prince had all the hallmarks of the modern fairytale and we all hoped for a happy ever after.

Writing on the wedding day, Evening Press astrologer Diana Bryant predicted: "This marriage will be a lasting success... I feel Lady Diana will be a great help to Prince Charles and although never searching for the limelight herself, she will be a supporting force and help him to cope with his responsibilities."

Such optimism proved to be misplaced and the marriage began to flounder relatively soon. Diana went on to become the most popular royal of our time and, despite her divorce from Charles and her death in 1997, she remains a cherished figure to many.

As the new wife of Charles, Camilla Parker Bowles will have much to live up to and for many loyal Diana supporters, will never be accepted, not least because Diana referred to her as the 'third person' in her marriage.

These are just some of the reasons why York's reaction to Charles second marriage is likely to be very different.

Rosemary Bentley, of Bishopthorpe Road, York, helped organise a street party for the people of South Bank on the eve of the 1981 royal wedding.

The street party was held a day early so folk could watch the ceremony on TV the next day.

Patriotically dressed in red, white and blue, Mrs Bentley was photographed in the Evening Press carrying a tray of drinks to thirsty children at the party held in the forecourt of the Winning Post pub, in Bishopthorpe Road.

Mrs Bentley recalls the all-day party fondly. "It was a lovely day. We had a wonderful street party with lots of children and we were all very well treated by the Winning Post. The party went on until the evening, so the grown-ups could join in.

"It was a really joyful occasion and great fun getting ready for the party and getting everyone's contribution."

This time around, Mrs Bentley expects York's reaction to be much more sober.

"There won't be the same sense of celebration. I am pleased for them, as a private couple. But they are an older couple and people won't treat the wedding in the same hopeful fashion as if they were a young couple getting married.

"I have great respect for Charles as an individual and think he has his boys' interests at heart. Camilla is an unknown quantity. She has done work for charities and has been working away in the background. A lot depends on how she is accepted and I think it would be very unfair if she wasn't accepted. People won't expect her to take on the same role as Diana, nor become Queen. She should be a consort.

"The media will have a field day about all of this, but I'm sure the general thinking will be let's see what people's reactions will be and take a cue from that. It would be awful if planned celebrations fell flat; it would look as if people were condemning the couple."

Mrs Bentley says the days are long gone when we looked upon the royal family as leading a fairytale lifestyle.

"There used to be a mystique around them, but so much has happened to take away a lot of that mystery. They have made mistakes. And they have had a hard time. Lots of things have gone wrong for them. But I'm glad for Charles and Camilla that they can at last come together after living two lives. It just won't be as joyous an occasion. There won't be a need to wave flags and it will be pretty low key."

One person who certainly won't be celebrating the pending nuptials is David Sykes, a loyal Diana supporter who met the Princess during her visit to York with Prince Charles in 1981.

Mr Sykes, 55, created a shrine to Princess Diana on the day of her death and it remains at his home in Cherry Street, York, to this day.

Mr Sykes, who named his home Allthorpe, after Diana's family estate Althorp, Northamptonshire, said the wedding announcement was not a surprise but he would not be celebrating.

He said: "It's up to them, it's their private business, but I prefer Diana. I don't like Camilla Parker Bowles.

"I think that Diana did a lot for people, whereas Camilla can't. There's no way that she should be Queen.

"But it's Charles's life, he does what he wants with it. I think they are doing it just to end the speculation."

While most people will greet the news of a new royal wedding with a shrug or with quiet, mature congratulations, ardent royalists will still want to iron their Union Jacks and get the Chas and Cam T-shirt.

Tony De Souza, of Shambles Souvenirs in York, expects designers and manufacturers are already sitting around the table drawing up a range of Charles and Camilla memorabilia to mark the wedding.

Mr De Souza said: "There wasn't anything made for Sophie and Edward's wedding, but they were not that popular. I'm not sure Camilla is going to go down well, but Prince Charles is very popular and I am sure there is going to be heaps of stuff, mugs, plates and the like, which the staunch royalists will collect."

However, it is highly unlikely the demand will eclipse that of the first royal wedding. From commemorative stamps and Wedgewood pottery pieces, to mugs and plates all featuring the faces of Charles and Diana, it is thought some 1,600 pieces of memorabilia were created to celebrate the wedding, bringing in sales of £208 million.

We just couldn't get enough of the happy couple. How times have changed.

Church division

CHURCH leaders are divided over the news that Prince Charles is to wed Camilla Parker Bowles.

The wedding will take place on Friday, April 8 in a civil ceremony at Windsor Castle followed by a blessing at St George's Chapel conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

In a joint statement issued by the Right Reverend Richard Frith, Suffragan Bishop of Hull; the Right Reverend Robert Ladds, Bishop of Whitby; and the Right Reverend Martin Wallace, Suffragan Bishop of Selby, support was given to the forthcoming marriage.

"We are delighted to hear that the Prince of Wales and Mrs Parker Bowles have decided to marry.

"They are making a serious commitment to each other, and we pray that it will enrich their love for each other and be a source of strength for them both."

However, leaders from the local Catholic community expressed disappointment.

Father John Aveyard, parish priest of St Mary's Church in Selby, said the marriage would be seen as invalid by the catholic church, although many of his parishioners would still be happy for the couple.

He said: "This wouldn't be recognised as a true marriage.

"Like a lot of other couples who are in this situation, I would wish them happiness and hope that they can carry on living a good and worthwhile life."

Father Patrick Hartnett, of St George's Church, York, said the marriage reflects today's society.

He said: "I'm not surprised this is happening. Sadly it reflects society.

"Divorce disrupts families and there's a lot of hurt involved. I don't think Charles and Camilla are setting a bad example, it just reflects society.

"They have already got a relationship, I suppose it's the next stage to make it permanent for them. But the marriage won't be recognised as a valid marriage."

Ten facts about Camilla Parker Bowles

- Born Camilla Shand on July 1947 in London. Eldest of three children.

- Her nickname is Milla. Diana called her the 'rottweiler'.

- Married army officer Andrew Parker Bowles in 1973. Divorced in 1995. Two children, Tom (a godson of Charles) and Laura.

- First met Charles at a Windsor polo match in the early Seventies, when she told him: "Our ancestors were lovers. So how about it?" Her maternal great-great-grandmother, Alice Keppel, was the long-time mistress of Charles's great-great-grandfather, Edward VII

- It is thought Charles proposed to Diana in the Parker Bowles's vegetable garden.

- The close relationship between the prince and Camilla was revealed in 1992 when the Camillagate tape came to light; a telephone recording of them made in December 1989 when Charles said: "I love you" and the rest.

- In April 1997, Camilla became patron of the National Osteoporosis Society.

- In 1999 she had her first official outing with Prince Charles at the Ritz.

- In June 2004, she appeared for the first time in the prince's official accounts - moving her into a new realm of official acceptance.

- February 2005, the wedding announced for April 8. On marriage, Camilla to become HRH Duchess of Cornwall and Princess Consort when Charles becomes King.

We ask people in York if it is right for Charles and Camilla to marry...

Charity worker Marion D'Netto, 65, from York

"He was blatantly committing adultery and she's divorced but the rules will be waived for them to get married in a church. It's not setting a proper example, but royalty generally never has. With their courtiers and things they are not in the real world."

Retired architect Denby Hawkins, 67, from

Stockton-on-the-Forest

"I've no thoughts about it whatsoever. I'm a republican but good luck to them. It's not going to affect my life one iota. The cost of the royals far outweigh their contribution to society."

Housewife Margaret Hutton, 56, from Tang Hall

"No, because I'm so loyal to Diana - she did good for every-body. I just don't like Camilla. It's hard to put my finger on why. For me Diana was the next Queen and I don't think Camilla can take her place."

Sheila Edwards, 72,

from Clifton

"I don't think he should marry her because they are the people that are supposed to set an example and they have both been married before. But I'll still be glued to the television watching the wedding!"

Hotel manager Helen Parish, 27, from York

"No. I think that the public love Diana too much. However long she has been dead they are never going to forget her."

Paul Gregory, 19, from Selby

"I'm not interested in the slightest. I'm not really interested in royals or politics. His last wife died so I don't see why he can't go ahead and marry again."

Milkman Alan Short, 60, from Fulford

"I couldn't give a monkey's. I'm not really a royalist and I don't think there's going to be the same level of interest as there was for Diana's wedding. It's only the very older people who feel so strongly for it."

Kate Cartwright, from York

"Good luck to them but it's a private affair. He should be treated like other people. If they can remarry so can the royals. Prince Charles should be treated equally."

Updated: 09:31 Friday, February 11, 2005