The entire 45-minute religious service of prayer and dedication led by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, will be broadcast to the nation.

After the Prince had to switch the venue from Windsor Castle to the local Guildhall, and the Queen’s decision not to attend the civil ceremony, the marriage plans have attracted ridicule in some quarters.

By agreeing to the cameras being trained on his new bride for a worldwide audience of millions in St George’s Chapel the Prince is hoping to win public acceptance and support for his marriage.

The service will be attended by around 750 guests including the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prime Minister and leading members of European royal families.

By contrast, only 30 people will witness the exchange of marriage vows in the civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall, which will be private.

The Duke of Edinburgh, who will be on a private visit to Germany in the days before the ceremony on April 8, will fly back early in the morning in time for the blessing.

The BBC will be the host broadcaster in St George’s Chapel, with Sophie Raworth, the newsreader, providing the commentary. A Clarence House spokesman said last night: “It has been agreed that the service of blessing and dedication will be televised live.”

He denied that there had been a change of heart after the exclusion of the media from the Guildhall.

“No final decisions had ever been made. The consultation took some time. All parties have agreed that televising the service in St George’s is the right way forward,” he said. The Prince of Wales consulted the Queen, Mrs Parker Bowles, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Dean of Windsor before making yesterday’s announcement.

The Prince of Wales and Mrs Parker Bowles had been wounded by some of the reporting of their proposed union. A courtier said: “They will be showing the world that they are happy to be marrying and happy to be receiving the blessing of the Archbishop in full view of the Queen and other members of the Royal Family.”

Only yesterday there was an incorrect suggestion that the Duke of Edinburgh would snub the occasion. No members of the Royal Family have any official engagements on the day of the wedding.

The last time the heir to the throne walked down the aisle — 24 years ago — more than 750 million television viewers worldwide saw him marry Lady Diana Spencer at St Paul’s Cathedral in London.

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