Legal advice on Charles' wedding to remain secret

London: The government was accused of a cover-up on Saturday after it was ruled that the legal advice that enabled Prince Charles to marry the Duchess of Cornwall must remain secret until after his death.

Doubts about the legality of the wedding have long persisted, with some constitutional experts arguing that legislation prevented the couple from taking part in a civil ceremony.

In the latest development, it was decided to withhold details of the legal advice because of its constitutional "sensitivity and significance". Justice secretary Jack Straw blocked a Freedom of Information request to make public the advice given to the then Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer before he gave the wedding the go-ahead.

Now, in a 19-page ruling, the information commissioner has refused an appeal against the decision.

The couple married five years ago after Lord Falconer overruled claims that members of the Royal Family were banned from marrying in a register office.