Bhushan
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India 'snubs Charles over Games opening': Clarence House in row about whether Prince will perform ceremony
The Indian Government and Clarence House appeared to be at loggerheads last night over whether Prince Charles will be asked to declare the Games open.
Senior Indian Government aides claimed that President Pratibha Devisingh Patil and not Charles would officially declare the Games open next Sunday the first time that the Royal Family has been denied this traditional honour.
The claims, made by officials from the Indian Department for Information and confirmed by sources from the Games Organising Committee, raise questions over whether the role of the Prince of Wales during his trip to Delhi next week has been downgraded.
However Clarence House insisted Charles will fulfil the duties originally intended for the Queen.
She asked the Prince to attend the opening ceremony in her place because of her hectic schedule.
It is the first time in 44 years since the Games were held in Kingston, Jamaica in 1966 that the Monarch has not attended any part of the event, and it was expected that Charles would read out a message of support to the athletes on behalf of the Queen.
But an Indian source said: Although there has not been an official announcement, we have decided the President will open the Games. If the Queen was here it would be different. But shes not.
A spokeswoman for Clarence House said: The Queen has asked the Prince to represent her in Delhi, and carry out the same duties she would perform if she was there. He will officially declare the Games open.
If the Prince does not take part in the ceremony it will end one of the greatest traditions of the Games.
The Indian Government and Clarence House appeared to be at loggerheads last night over whether Prince Charles will be asked to declare the Games open.
Senior Indian Government aides claimed that President Pratibha Devisingh Patil and not Charles would officially declare the Games open next Sunday the first time that the Royal Family has been denied this traditional honour.
The claims, made by officials from the Indian Department for Information and confirmed by sources from the Games Organising Committee, raise questions over whether the role of the Prince of Wales during his trip to Delhi next week has been downgraded.
However Clarence House insisted Charles will fulfil the duties originally intended for the Queen.
She asked the Prince to attend the opening ceremony in her place because of her hectic schedule.
It is the first time in 44 years since the Games were held in Kingston, Jamaica in 1966 that the Monarch has not attended any part of the event, and it was expected that Charles would read out a message of support to the athletes on behalf of the Queen.
But an Indian source said: Although there has not been an official announcement, we have decided the President will open the Games. If the Queen was here it would be different. But shes not.
A spokeswoman for Clarence House said: The Queen has asked the Prince to represent her in Delhi, and carry out the same duties she would perform if she was there. He will officially declare the Games open.
If the Prince does not take part in the ceremony it will end one of the greatest traditions of the Games.
