Marriage like the Grand National says Queen

WINDSOR, England - The Queen hinted where her thoughts were today when she compared the marriage between her son Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles to the Grand National horse race.

In her speech at the reception, the Queen likened the obstacles which Charles and Camilla have overcome in their 34-year romance to the fences in the Grand National.

The classic steeplechase was run at Aintree today, 25 minutes later than originally scheduled so as not to clash with the service of prayers for the royal couple.

It was denied the race was put back so the Queen could watch it.

"The Queen was in a very good mood, bubbly and chatty," said comedian Stephen Fry, one of 750 guests at the reception at the State Apartments in Windsor Castle.

"She said 'I have two important things to announce - the first is the Grand National was won by Hedge Hunter.

"And the second is that like my son, despite Becher's Brook and The Chair (fences in the race) and all kinds of terrible obstacles, my son has come through and I'm very proud and I wish them well."

The prince then replied in a speech which one guest said was "extraordinarily funny".

In it he made a scathing attack on the press whom in a feisty photocall on the Swiss ski slopes earlier this month he had described as "those bloody people".

"I can't compete with my mother's racing allusions," the prince said according to Fry who went on to say Charles' comment about the press was "less favourable. It was very funny".

But Charles also spoke more traditionally as well.

"The prince thanked everybody, thanked his family, thanked his boys," said June O'Donnell, one of four Australians among the guests.

"Everybody clapped and cheered and raised their glasses and wished them the best for the future."

Several guests said the speeches by the Queen, Charles and father of the bride Bruce Shand were short and witty.

- AAP