LONDON, April 3 (UPI) -- Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has reportedly said that she is not attending Prince Charles' wedding because of her responsibility to the church.
The Queen told a friend that she must put her duties as the head of the Church of England before family feelings, the London Telegraph reported Sunday. She said her role as Supreme Governor of the Church would make her attendance at a civil marriage ceremony inappropriate. The friend claims the Queen does not want to set a precedent that could damage the Church of England.
The Queen's motive for refusing an invitation to the prince's marriage to Camilla Parker Bowles, scheduled for Friday, has been the subject of speculation. It had previously been reported that the ruler refused to attend because she found the town hall service "humiliating."
The monarch will attend a service blessing the marriage conducted by Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, at Windsor Castle. She is also hosting a wedding reception for more than 700 guests.
