By Lisa CleverdonSPECULATION is mounting as to whether the Prince of Wales will be accompanied to East Anglia by his new wife in what could be one of the couple's first official engagements of their married life.

By Lisa Cleverdon

SPECULATION is mounting as to whether the Prince of Wales will be accompanied to East Anglia by his new wife in what could be one of the couple's first official engagements of their married life.

It is thought Prince Charles, who is set to marry long-term partner Camilla Parker Bowles on April 8, will officially open the Millennium Tower at St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds, in the summer.

His visit has yet to be officially confirmed, but residents are wondering if the bride-to-be will make an appearance for what could be one of the first official engagements for the newly-wed couple.

St Edmundsbury borough councillor David Nettleton said: “Any Royal visit is very good for the town. Prince Charles has always shown great support for the cathedral and everyone is looking forward to his visit.

“Whether Camilla comes with him or not will be up to him, but it would be lovely if she did and I am sure she would be made very welcome.”

His views were echoed by David Ruffley, Bury St Edmunds MP, who said: “I think it would be presumptuous for us to tell the heir to the throne who he should bring with him, but my view is that he should feel free to bring whoever he likes.

“If he brings Mrs Parker Bowles to Bury I am sure people in the town would be very happy with that decision and would make her feel very welcome.”

Mrs Parker Bowles has joined the Prince - who is patron of the Millennium Tower project - at a number of numerous engagements in recent years, but the impending wedding will allow her to be at his side in an official capacity.

A spokesman for Clarence House said he could not comment on whether Prince Charles would be bringing his new wife with him to Bury St Edmunds.

But he added: “After the wedding it is expected that the Duchess of Cornwall will be doing a number of Royal engagements, both on her own and with The Prince.”

Prince Charles is expected to visit Bury St Edmunds during a range of celebrations planned for the summer.

He has already shown great interest in the cathedral tower project, travelling to Suffolk several times during the five-year building project and even laying its first stone.

lisa.cleverdon@eadt.co.uk