Camilla will not join Charles on NZ visit

Prince Charles, who last night announced plans to marry Camilla Parker-Bowles in April, is going ahead with his trip to New Zealand in March but will not be accompanied by his fiancee.

The prince leaves Britain on February 28 for his tour of Sri Lanka, Fiji, Australia, and New Zealand, but will be travelling solo.

The tour will be one of his last official duties before he and Ms Parker-Bowles marry at Windsor on April 8.

He will be in New Zealand from March 5-10 after visiting Australia. He is to be in Otago, March 5-7; Wellington, March 7-9; and Auckland, March 9-10; before leaving for Fiji.

While in New Zealand Prince Charles will focus on conservation, environment, agriculture and education.

He last visited in 1994.

The New Zealand Anglican Church welcomed the announcement.

The Bishop of Christchurch David Coles said Prince Charles' marriage would have no impact on the church.

Prince Charles had no authority over the international Anglican Church, which had independent divisions.

"As a church leader I think it's far better that he should marry and have a clear married relationship if he is actually living with this person," Bishop Coles told the Christchurch Press.

"I think he has to some extent been caught in very difficult position by the opposition of the Church of England to the remarriage of divorcees."

Some would say Prince Charles should have married Ms Parker-Bowles a long time ago, he said.

"The church here does uphold the lifelong commitment of marriage but we recognise marriages do come apart and so, in recognising remarriage, we (the NZ Anglican Church) are accepting that reality and saying 'Let's move on'."

Monarchist League of New Zealand chairman Noel Cox said it was desirable that Prince Charles had a consort if he was to become king.

"He can't be expected to live alone for the rest of his life.

"He is entitled to marry again. Only the most mean-spirited person would deny the Prince the choice."

New Zealand will send good wishes to Charles when he marries Mrs Parker-Bowles, Prime Minister Helen Clark's spokesman said today. 

Helen Clark's spokesman said the Government would issue a formal statement about the wedding announcement later today.

"We will wish them well," the Prime Minister's spokesman said.

Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright said today she was very happy Prince Charles and Ms Parker-Bowles were to marry.

"I look forward to the impending visit of Prince Charles in March and his stay here at Government House," she said through a spokesman.

"My husband Peter and I wish to give them our warmest good wishes for their future together."

Dame Silvia would also write to the Prince to congratulate him.

- NZPA