Posted on 04/27/2009 11:46:57 AM PDT by Cincinna
Prince Charles visited the Vatican on Monday for his first meeting with a pope since his 1996 divorce from Princess Diana.
The heir to the UK throne was accompanied by his second wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, who wore the mandatory modest black dress and veil which the Vatican requires for wives of dignitaries who meet the pope.
The 20-minute meeting was "cordial," the Vatican said in a statement afterwards.
Prince Charles's accession to the throne was likely to be an unspoken subtext of the meeting, an expert on the prince told CNN.
"The biggest thing on Prince Charles's agenda is the preparation for his coronation," said Christopher Wilson, author of "The Windsor Knot: Charles, Camilla and the Legacy of Diana."
Charles would like the pope to attend personally, unlikely as that may be, given the religious divide between London and Rome, Wilson said.
"He will expect a high-profile Roman Catholic presence in Westminster Abbey," where he will be crowned, Wilson argued. "The combined heads of state come from everywhere. Every democratically elected head of state will be invited. It bigs up your coronation if you can get the highest Roman Catholic to come."
The meeting between prince and pope came days after the 500th anniversary of the crowning of Henry VIII, the English king who broke with the Roman Catholic Church and established the Church of England because he wanted to divorce.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Prince Charles married Camilla after the death of Diana, so as far as the Anglican Church is concerned, Camilla is his legal, church accepted wife.
No - Camilla is divorced herself.
I wonder if Charles will ascend to the throne.
Not sure, but I thought the Anglicans recognized divorce. ilso thought Charles and Camilla were married in church. Since he isn’t Catholic, his divorce would not be a question to concern the Pope.
The only throne Charles will ascend to is the loo.
The Queen’s mother lived past 100, at any rate. Unless his mother abdicates, there’s a good chance (and I do mean GOOD) he will never be king.
I don't know if Camilla is Catholic. That would be embarassing (to her, not the Holy Father).
Not possible. Act of Settlement of 1701
Pope to Charles:
You’re still a dope.
But . . . two words: Maria Fitzherbert.
In Spain it apparently doesn’t matter if a royal spouse was previously married outside of the Catholic Church and subsequently divorced, as was the case with Princess Letizia, wife of crown prince Felipe.
Hey, at least photographers weren’t banned. Chuck and Camilla got Nancy Pelosi beat.
I think you are right. I think Letizia’s first marriage didn’t need to be annulled because she was never married in the RC Church.
You are right, this doesn’t concern the Catholic Church.
Anglicans are permitted to worship and receive Holy Communion if they divorce. They cannot be re-married in Church if their previous spouse is still living.
Not sure about Camilla. I believe Andrew Parker-Bowles is Catholic, but Camilla is not.
Very true. Camilla is only the wife of the heir to throne, the Duchess of Cornwall. They are Anglican,. not Catholic, therefore the Black.
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