The excuse the Palace is putting out for the Queen not attending is fairly insubstantial - they're suggesting her attendance would automatically make a "simple ceremony", not simple at all.
Not really. Security, et al - all those complex arrangements were taking place anyway. This indicates her displeasure with either the wedding itself, or how it's been done, which admittedly, has been full of cock ups.
Regards, Ivan
I'll wait to see what the explanation from the palace is. The worst possible motives are always attributed to the Royals. Very annoying.
Queen to Stay Away From Royal Wedding
LONDON (AP) - Buckingham Palace said Tuesday Queen Elizabeth II would not attend the civil marriage ceremony of her son Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles.
The Queen, would however, attend the church blessing following the civil ceremony, the Palace said.
Britain's Press Association reported that Prince Charles' sons Prince William and Prince Harry and Parker Bowles's children, Tom and Laura, were expected to be present for the April 8 civil wedding in the Guildhall at Windsor.
AP-NY-02-22-05 1601EST