THE Royal Mail has drawn up designs for stamps to commemorate the wedding of the Prince of Wales and Camilla Parker Bowles, formally designating it a national event.

The two proposed images, portraying head-and-shoulder shots of the couple, were sent to the Queen late last week for her verdict.

Her approval would be regarded as a gesture of support for Charles, whose wedding plans have been dogged by embarrassing hitches.

It has also emerged that Prince William is being lined up to take a key role on the wedding day, April 8. He will read the lesson at the blessing of the marriage at St George’s chapel, Windsor.

One source working on the stamps conceded it was controversial for the face of Parker Bowles to be printed alongside that of the Queen. But he said: “This is an important national event, whatever one’s personal attitude. There were no stamps to mark the second marriage of the Princess Royal, but this is the marriage of the future king.”

Another source said the Queen’s approval could not be taken for granted. “Normally the Queen delegates the decision to one of her courtiers. In this case, however, we are having to wait until she has scrutinised the proposals herself.” She has the power of veto.

Royal Mail officials, who began work on the stamps 48 hours after the engagement, insist they acted of their own accord without government interference. Its stamp advisory committee approved the designs last Thursday.

There was not enough time for the Royal Mail to conduct its usual polling of public attitudes before creating the stamps. But officials predicted a strong demand from collectors. “They are happy, smiley shots,” said one.

A ruling is unlikely until Tuesday when Len Cook, the registrar-general, is set to announce whether he will uphold objections to the legality of the wedding. Opponents of the wedding fear he may side with the royals. He has previously been accused of bending to government pressure in his role at the helm of the Office for National Statistics.

Nine formal objections were received by Friday’s deadline. One of the complainants, the Rev Paul Williamson of St George’s, Hanworth, west London, said he would protest outside the ceremony at Windsor Guildhall if his objection was not upheld.

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