Monday, April 4 2005 22:25 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: Prince Charles' wedding to his long-time companion Camilla Parker Bowles has been postponed by a day to Saturday (Apr 9, 2005) to enable him to attend the funeral of Pope John Paul II on Friday.

Charles' wedding, which was earlier scheduled for Friday, has been postponed due to a clash with the Pope's funeral, Clarence House, the Prince's office, said.

The heir to the throne took the decision after a meeting with Parker Bowles, they added.

Charles will represent Queen Elizabeth II at the Pope's funeral mass at the St Peter's Basilica in Rome, it said.

Pope's funeral plans were announced earlier today after a meeting of the College of Cardinals at Vatican.

The announcement came after Charles discussed the clashing of dates with his aides. Earlier the Clarence House had said it remained "sensitive to events that are happening elsewhere around the world and are continuing to assess the situation."

Charles also cut short his holiday at Swiss Alps to attend a London mass for the Pope at Westminster Cathedral.

The Prince and Camilla Parker Bowles are to marry in a civil ceremony and will then attend a Church service in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. A 45-minute church blessing led by the Archbishop of Canterbury will follow.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have already announced they will not be attending the civil ceremony but will be at the blessing.