With the notable exception of the Independent - the front page of which carries snapshots of other global news events that occurred on Thursday - news of the royal wedding dominates today's front pages.

The government has sent its congratulations to Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles following the announcement that they are to get married.

A statement from Clarence House revealed that the two are to wed on April 8 in a ceremony at Windsor Castle.

Following the announcement, Tony Blair said he was "delighted" for both parties.

A YouGov poll for the Telegraph finds that 65 per cent of voters back the marriage - a figure that was only 40 per cent in the late 1990s.

However, only seven per cent want Parker Bowles to become Queen.

The wedding makes the event of a May general election more certain, according to analysis in the newspapers.

By opting for an April date, the Prince and Parker Bowles have made the possibility of a snap election in the same month much less likely.

If the prime minister chooses May 5 as the election date, he would probably announce that he has asked the Queen for a dissolution of parliament on April 11, or the day after.

Then there would be an election campaign of just over three weeks.

There is no need for legislation at this stage for a marriage, but a bill would be needed to clarify the position of Parker Bowles if the Prince became King.

Speaking on the Channel 4 Richard and Judy show, Blair said he had been aware for some time of the pending announcement.

"I think everyone has known that Prince Charles and Camilla are together and if they want to make that commitment in marriage I wish them every success and happiness, and I'm sure everyone else does too," he said.

Meanwhile, a committee of MPs is set to ask for full public disclosure of the money paid to Parker Bowles by the Duchy of Cornwall.

She has several staff and receives an undisclosed amount of expenses from the Duchy, which MPs on the public accounts committee believe should be much more open to scrutiny.