PRINCE Charles may have to give up the throne if he wants to marry Mrs Camilla Parker Bowles, according to the latest poll.
Only six per cent of the public like Mrs Parker Bowles and would accept her as queen. They were narrowly in favour of Prince Charles becoming king, but more than half (54 per cent) believed he should renounce the throne if he married Mrs Parker Bowles, according to the Mori poll for the Mail on Sunday.
However, Prince Charles is reportedly unwilling to give up either. He has confided to a senior member of his inner circle that he is determined to reign with her at his side, according to the News of the World. The prince is already planning a strategy to make his long term friend welcome in Buckingham Palace and the country, the paper said.
"The two unshakeable truths in his life are his determination to be king and his love for Mrs Parker Bowles," the source is reported to have said.
The Mori poll also found:
. 42 per cent thought Britain would be worse off if the monarchy were abolished, while 39 per cent said it would make no difference.
. Less than a quarter believed Prince Charles had the public's respect.
Prince Charles yesterday made his first public appearance since his divorce was made official last Wednesday. He left Balmoral Castle to attend morning service at nearby Crathie Church. Since his divorce became official, Prince Charles has been careful to avoid press photographers waiting at the gates of the castle.
Meanwhile, his personal assistant, Ms Tiggy Legge Bourke (30), is considering developing a career elsewhere - but she has no intention of quitting her main role in the prince's household.
Ms Legge Bourke would continue looking after arrangements for Prince William and Prince Harry on behalf of their father, the spokeswoman said.