Camilla Parker Bowles turned down an opportunity to be at the Prince of Wales's side for a state banquet at Buckingham Palace last night.

Mrs Parker Bowles's absence from the dinner in honour of President Carlo Ciampi of Italy is another signal that the couple are intent on distancing their forthcoming wedding from Prince Charles's marriage to Diana, Princess of Wales.

In July 1981, a month before his first wedding, the then Lady Diana Spencer accepted an invitation to be Prince Charles's guest at a Palace banquet for King Khalid of Saudi Arabia.

The future Princess Consort's decision not to be with her fiance last night has also added to speculation among royal watchers that her presence at a high-profile official event is not yet considered appropriate. This was her first opportunity to appear at a public function alongside the Queen since the engagement was announced.

A spokeswoman for the Prince at Clarence House, his London home, said that Mrs Parker Bowles was busy making arrangements for the wedding. "It was considered, but she was unable to attend," she said.

It remains to be seen how soon after their April 8 civil wedding that the Prince and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, are able to be together with the Queen at a major royal engagement.

The couple's wedding plans have been dogged by problems and threatened by legal and constitutional challenges. It emerged yesterday that only 30 people will witness the wedding ceremony in Windsor's Guildhall and TV cameras and press will be excluded.

The last time Prince Charles walked down the aisle - 24 years ago - the occasion was watched by more than 750 million television viewers worldwide.

During last night's banquet, held on the first day of Signor Ciampi's state visit, the Queen hailed Britain's links with Italy, observing that the British were enthusiastic admirers of Italian culture, fashion and food.

Today, the President will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey and will also visit the Palace of Westminster for a reception with members of both Houses of Parliament.

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