Diana's long shadow over Charles and Camilla

WINDSOR, ENGLAND - The Charles and Camilla tea towels are on order for the big day but nothing can ever match the popularity of the Princess Diana silver spoon.

"Diana stuff always sells -- even now," said souvenir stallholder James Toomey, reflecting on how differently people react to the two women in the heir to the throne's chequered love life.

Pointing to the decorative spoons lined up on his stall outside Windsor Castle, he said: "Diana always comes top with the customers, followed by the Queen Mother and the Queen. Charles is always bottom -- even behind his sons."

Who buys what silver spoon may not qualify as the most scientific of opinion polls but it highlights how tough it is for Charles to win public acceptance of his long time lover Camilla Parker Bowles before their marriage on April 8.

At every gift shop in this picturesque town on the banks of the River Thames, the iconic image of Diana stares out from dozens of mugs and postcards, sandwiched between the tacky Union Jack thongs and Queen Elizabeth calendars.

The contrast between Charles' two marriages could not be more stark.

In 1981, adoring crowds cheered Diana the virgin bride at her wedding in London's grandiose St Paul's Cathedral before a worldwide television audience of 800 million people.

Following her death in a Paris car crash in 1997, the worldwide television audience almost trebled for her funeral.

This time, things are rather different.

After a farcical mix-up over the granting of marriage licences, Charles' wedding to Camilla has been switched from the grandeur of Windsor Castle to the more prosaic Windsor Town Hall -- yards away but worlds apart.

Queen Elizabeth, who has never warmed to her eldest son's long affair, will not be popping over to the town hall for the civil ceremony. Conscious of the dignity of monarchy, she will remain within the ramparts.

But she will be watching -- her portrait hangs in the town hall chamber where Charles will finally marry the love of his life, forever vilified as the woman who destroyed his marriage to the fairytale "People's Princess."

The first thing the newly-weds will see when they step out of the town hall is the two Ladies and Gents public lavatories flanking its entrance on Windsor High Street, home to a string of pubs, burger bars and pizza parlours.

On their short journey back to Windsor Castle for the wedding reception, they will pass the sombre statue of Queen Victoria, who points her sceptre at the ground with haughty disdain.

Down the street at McDonald's, the Windsor branch of the fast food giant has no plans to lay on Camilla Burgers or Charlie fries.

"But we hope to have fun and create a bit of theatre with colour-in tiaras," said a spokeswoman. "The doormen will be dressing up in morning suits."

And what of Charles future loyal subjects here, 40km up the river from London?

Diana may forever win the hearts of the two million tourists who pour into the town every year but the people of Windsor appear in forgiving mood toward the happy couple.

Leslie Grout, a tourist guide in Windsor for the last 25 years, said: "Charles and Camilla are allowed a decent life together. Leave them alone. They could do with a bit of peace."

At The Three Tuns pub behind the town hall, manager Chris Wilks wholeheartedly agreed: "We all lead our own lives. Why shouldn't they?"

- REUTERS