LONDON, Feb 13 (AFP) - Prince Charles and bride-to-be Camilla Parker Bowles were coy Sunday about any plans for Valentine's Day on Monday as the pair attended a church service after their shock engagement announcement.
Asked if they had any romantic plans as they left the church in Gloucestershire, western England, Parker Bowles, 57, said: "Not as yet," with the prince adding: "Valentines Day - that's another thought."
Camilla, wearing a green coat, and Charles, 56, who was sporting a camel-coloured number, joined the congregation at St Lawrence's Church in Didmarton -- just down the road from their country retreat in Highgrove.
The outing came three days after Charles's office revealed that the two divorcees would marry on April 8 in a civil ceremony at Windsor Castle.
The couple listened to a sermon on the temptations of Christ that -- said Reverend Christopher Mullholland -- was chosen before the marriage news broke.
"Christ went into the wilderness for 40 days and the devil tempted him," Mullholland said afterwards.
"My message was the mission of Christ was to suffer and it's in these times that the Christian Church will grow."
Prayers for the pair were also said at the tiny picturesque church, which they regularly visit.
"I prayed for their happiness together and that they may come to love one another more each day and more and more draw closer to God," Mullholland said.
"People are very glad when two of the congregation have decided to get married. There was a great sense of goodwill," he told Britain's domestic Press Association.
Despite the chilly February weather, Camilla opted not to hide her engagement ring away under a pair of gloves when she arrived at the church, keeping the heirloom, which used to belong to Charles's late grandmother, the Queen Mother, on show.
Greeting media waiting outside with "Morning", the smiling prince said: "I do hope it doesn't pour with rain."
Parker Bowles, who had on a pair of fawn knee-high suede boots, added with a grin: "Or with snow," referring to the snow storms that swirled around parts of the region earlier in the day.
Charles and his fiancee were the last of the 34 guests to arrive.
Prince Harry, the second son of Charles, who is also staying with them at Highgrove, did not attend the service, however.
One local, Gillian Bulmer-Davison, who was also at the service, said: "We feel they're our people. It's good to see them so happy."
Asked about his thoughts on the marriage itself -- which will be followed by a service of prayer and dedication at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle -- Mullholland said he had no opinion on the choice of a civil wedding.
"Marriage is marriage and that's it. I hope that people will more and more have goodwill feelings about this," he said.
On Valentine's Day Monday, the prince has official engagements in Staffordshire and Cheshire but the pair are expected to be reunited for a romantic evening at Highgrove.
02/13/2005 16:47 GMT - AFP