Tuesday, February 15 2005 14:55 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: The office of Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne, yesterday (Feb 14, 2005) rejected claims that his civil marriage with long-time love Camilla Parker Bowles would not be legal.

"Legal advice was taken from four different sources and all agreed that it is legal for a member of the royal family to marry in a civil ceremony in England," said a spokesman for the Prince's office, Clarence House.

A BBC Panorama investigation reported late Sunday (Feb 13, 2005) that there was confusion over whether the Prince's marriage ceremony at Windsor Castle on April 8 would be permitted under current legislation.

The 1836 Marriage Act allowed for civil marriages in England for the first time, with the exemption of the royal family.

Legal experts interviewed by Panorama argued that this was updated in 1949 but that no specific changes were made to the royal exemption.

Constitutional expert and friend of the Prince, Lord St John of Fawsley, branded the programme "an absolute disgrace".

"It's nonsense and nonsense on stilts... It was never intended to ban civil marriages as such," he said.

"The palace has taken legal advice from the highest authority. The Lord Chancellor has been consulted. Government Ministers have been consulted. It's an absolute disgrace."

He added, "The marriage is valid and Camilla would be Queen."