Britons Say 'I Do' to Charles, Camilla

By Stephen M. Silverman

08/15/2002 at 01:00 AM EDT

In a just published poll of Britons on whether Camilla Parker Bowles should marry her longtime companion, Prince Charles -- and become stepmum to princes William and Harry -- 51 percent said yes, according to Thursday's Evening Standard newspaper. And some royal watchers see this as an expression that Charles, 53, should be allowed to enjoy his middle age, Reuters notes. Parker Bowles is 55. Part of the approval rating, however slight it might be, is being credited to the couple's discretion since the death of England's beloved Queen Mum, at age 101, earlier this year. At the end of this month, it will also be the fifth anniversary of the death of Princess Diana, whose tempestuous marriage to Charles was troubled in part by his ongoing relationship with Parker Bowles while he and Diana were married. As the survey also showed, some 71 percent of respondents said it would have been better in the long run if Charles had married Camilla in the first place. Ingrid Seward, royal author and editor of Majesty magazine, opined to the newspaper, "Most people generally think everyone has a right to happiness. Camilla makes Charles very happy, and that is why there is an upsurge in support for him." As for remarriage, constitutional expert Lord St. John of Fawsley is quoted by the Standard as saying, "It looks as if the public is coming round. It won't ever be unanimous, but it will be a majority."