European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 11, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Despite their split Charles and Diana might share throne by Mick Thurston United press International speculation is raging Over the future of the British monarchy As constitutional experts argue Over the precedents for Princess Diana becoming Queen following her separation from Prince Charles. The arguments broke out after prime minister John major announced in the House of commons on wednesday that the Prince and Princess of Wales would separate after 11 years of marriage. Major said Diana 31, would still be declared Queen Consort whenever Charles 44, ascends the throne. But experts had some doubts. Quot it is constitutionally possible but it has no precedent and it is virtually impossible a declared Harold Brooks Baker director and publisher of Burke s peerage the respected chronicle of the Royal family. Lord St. John of Fawsley a member of the House of lords and an expert on constitutional Law said there was nothing constitutionally to prevent Princess Diana from becoming Queen. Quot but it certainly requires a Strong Effort of imagination to project oneself Forward into that situation Quot he said. Labor party member of parliament Dennis Skinner said majors statement that Diana could still become Queen was  Quot he actually said that the Princess of Wales could become Queen a and everybody gasped and Many of the privy councillors behind me. I mean i just could not believe what he was saying Quot Skinner told the British broadcasting corp. Paul Craig an expert in constitutional Law at Oxford University said that As far As he knew there was no precedent for Diana a situation. Quot but that does not mean the Impact on the House of Windsor will be lessened Quot he said. Quot they cannot add to the Queens annus Horri bilis Quot he said referring to the Queens statement that 1992 had been a horrible year. The growing rift Between the Royal couple has been described As the biggest crisis the monarchy has faced since Charles great Uncle Edward Viii abdicated the throne in 1936 to marry Wallis Warfield Simpson an american Divorcee. Because Simpson had two a husbands she was not considered a suitable Consort for the Monarch who is also head of the Church of England which frowns upon divorce. The Monarch most famous for disposing of spouses was Henry Viii who divorced two of his six wives and beheaded two others in the first half of the 16th Century. One other died after giving birth and the sixth survived him since then no reigning British Monarch has divorced his wife. Major in his statement in the House of commons wednesday said the separation would not alter the Prince s and princesses constitutional positions and insisted that Princess Diana could become Queen Consort. But lord St. John although confirming that there would be no change in constitutional arrangements said the matter would not be so simple. Quot it must mean a change in the monarchy because the monarchy has for this Century and indeed for the whole of the last one been held up As an example of Model family rectitude Quot he said. Quot Many people expect a Standard from an uncomfortable looking Charles and Diana appear together during a Royal function in London in october. Members of the Royal family which they Don t expect from their own families. Well that can t go on so the Royal family will have to adapt itself to new  Brooks Baker said he did not think wednesdays statement would be the end of the matter. Quot i think there will be another statement at some time in the future Quot he said. Quot it will either be to announce that Prince Charles will be relinquishing his right to the throne to his eldest son Quot Prince William. Quot the other possibility is that they will decide to divorce Quot he  separations not always handled with Grace by Audrey Woods the associated press if Kino Charles Iii and Queen Diana  throne they won t be the first estranged couple to Rule Over Britain. But they May do it with a Little More Grace than some of their predecessors. George in publicly humiliated his wife Henry ii locket up his Queen Charles ii openly earned on with the actress Nell Gwyn and i Temy Viii with six wives two divorced two execute was in a class by himself Neaily 200 Yurs ago England was agog Over the Public  Between the future King George in and his neglected wife George was a tuna in or a Dandy and a spendthrift. While still tie Prince of Wales he married the Catholic widow Mana i it Herbert illegally without the permission of his fatties the King in 1 793, to store up his financial position he marked his German Cousin Prncess Caroline of Brunswick a coarse fun Loving woman whom lie had never met. I hey were married april 8 nine months later the Queen bore a daughter and with an heir predicted the Royal marriage was effectively Over. F la file both Edward Vii left and Charles ii ran around on their Queens but managed to retain amicable relations. By 1800 George was Back with Fiu Herbert though he still was outraged by Caroline s romantic indiscretions. When George became King in 1820, he and his government tried to bribe Caroline to stay out of England. George attempted to have her tried in parliament for Quot indecent and offensive familiarity and Freedom Quot with an alleged Lover but the Case was abandoned on july 19, 1821, the Queen progressed to Westminster Hall for the Coronation and found the doors shut in her face. She took ill and died aug. 8. In the 17th Century King Charles ii had a much More amicable relationship with his Loyal but childless Queen Catherine. He conducted Well known Long term liaisons with Many mistresses including Gwyn and he sired at least a Cven illegitimate children Charles never acted on repeated suggestions that he could legally divorce a Barren wife and remarry. Catherine retained her dignity and was at least outwardly tolerant of her husbands behaviour. Eight centuries ago King Henry ii and Eleanor of Aquitaine had perhaps the most turbulent marriage of All. Eleanor and Henry married in 1152. She bore him five sons and three daughters and tolerated his infidelities As Long As he observed the age old Rule of discretion. But in 1166, Henry fell in love with the Beautiful Young Rosamond Clifford and created an open scandal. Henry had Eleanor jailed where she languished until his death in 1189. The Queen Savoured the last laugh once styling herself Quot Eleanor by the Wrath of god Queen of  at the turn of this Century King Edward Vii was married to Queen Alexandra who like Princess Diana was Beautiful fashionable and immensely popular. Throughout his married life Edward a or Quot Bertie Quot As his family called him conducted a series of Quot intimate friendships Quot with other women. Alexandra accepted her husband s behaviour with Grace and sometimes humor and bore him six children. Page 16 a the stars and stripes Friday december 11, 1992