British heir to the throne Prince Charles' long-time lover Camilla Parker Bowles will automatically become queen if he succeeds to the throne, the government said Monday.

Aware of public misgivings over his lover, Charles had previously ruled out the divorced mother of two becoming queen when he replaces his mother, Queen Elizabeth.

But the British Government said it would require a change in the law for Parker Bowles not to assume the title of queen.

"She does automatically become queen," a Department for Constitutional Affairs spokeswoman said. "If you wanted to prevent her from becoming queen you would need legislation."

Charles' Clarence House office said Parker Bowles had always made it clear she would use the title of princess consort instead of queen.

"If the government said legislation would be needed it wouldn't be a problem," a royal spokesman was quoted as saying by Sky News.

While newspaper polls suggest the British public now tolerates the couple's 35-year relationship, the majority opposes the idea of a "Queen Camilla."

An opinion poll in the Daily Telegraph newspaper last month found just 7 percent thought she should be queen.

Parker Bowles is widely seen as the woman responsible for destroying Charles' "fairytale" marriage to the late Diana.

Their marriage plans have descended into chaos since they were announced in February.

The venue for the April 8 ceremony was changed from Windsor Castle, west of London, to the town hall because of a mix-up over marriage licenses.

Queen Elizabeth, who has been slow to accept her eldest son's affair, has decided not to attend the civil ceremony in what has been widely interpreted as a snub to the couple.

Constitutional experts have questioned the legality of a civil ceremony.