Parishioners allowed in as Pippa weds, says Church

SHE is said to have her heart set on an intimate family affair when she marries next month.

But Pippa Middleton’s plans for an exclusive event have been dealt a blow – by the Church of England.

It has issued guidance on ‘celebrity weddings’ reiterating that church ceremonies are public events and parishioners cannot be turned away.

It means that members of the public could take their seats alongside high society when Miss Middleton marries hedge fund manager James Matthews at St Mark’s Church in Englefield, Berkshire, on May 20.

The guidance was produced by the Church of England’s legal advisory commission. It makes no reference to the upcoming ceremony – but its publication comes only weeks before one of the most hotly anticipated weddings of the year.

The document recognises that some celebrities may not want uninvited guests to attend, but states: ‘Nonetheless, a marriage is a public ceremony which at the least all parishioners are entitled to attend.’

It states parishioners ‘are entitled to attend as long as there is available seating or standing room’, and can only be turned away if a ‘genuine question of safety or security arises’.

The rules mean all residents of the parish of Englefield, which surrounds St Mark’s, can attend the ceremony. There are many who would like to catch a glimpse of Miss Middleton, 33, as well as her niece and nephew Princess Charlotte and Prince George – who are expected to be flower girl and page boy respectively.

Andrew House, chairman of the parish council in neighbouring village Bradfield, where Miss Middleton was born, told The Sunday Telegraph: ‘It’s a rather nice thought that they might be able to attend. I’m sure there will be interest.’

Church weddings have always been public events, but this is the first time the Church has published guidance on celebrity weddings online.

Stephen Borton, an ecclesiastical law expert, said the document was ‘pretty clear’, and added: ‘Any of the parishioners or any of those on the electoral roll wished to attend, they could not legally be refused.’

And Mr House said: ‘Some people will no doubt want to wish the couple well, especially those Englefield parishioners who knew the Middleton family from when they lived in the area. Kate went to Brownies here and there are still people in the area who remember her.’

Representatives for the ceremony and the Englefield Estate, where the wedding is taking place, declined to comment.