WINDSOR, England -Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles wed in a modest town hall ceremony Saturday with the blessing of the queen and the Church of England, sealing a tangled love affair ignited at a polo match more than 30 years ago.
Once married, the royals knelt beneath the towering Gothic arches of St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, nervously pledging their undying love and confessing their sins and wickedness -a phrase from the Church of England's Book of Common Prayer -as their vows were blessed by Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams.
Despite years of public and media criticism, even ridicule, Charles and Camilla's shared affection appeared finally to have won them a measure of acceptance from the British public, many of whom blamed their relationship for poisoning Charles' marriage to Britain's beloved Princess Diana.
He did a bit of a dirty job on Diana
said Tina Quinney, 59, one of the thousands of people lining the streets of this royal town. But the past is the past.
The ceremonies went off flawlessly on a bright, sunny day despite sinister omens: a change of location for the civil wedding vows, unsubstantiated reports of the queen's fury that the couple would wed at all and a one-day postponement for Pope John Paul II's funeral.
Camilla is now officially the Princess of Wales, though she will be known as the Duchess of Cornwall in deference to enduring public affection for Diana. When Charles is crowned, she will be queen -but the prince's office says she will use the title Princess Consort.
It remains to be seen, however, whether the bride will ever be known as Queen Camilla.
Throughout the day, the couple suffered from jitters and displayed tenderness, even playfulness. Their hands knocked against one another several times before they found a comfortable clasp during the church blessing. Outside, Camilla clutched her hat awkwardly in a blustery wind as she waved to well-wishers with her bouquet of spring flowers. 17
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