Vic: Republican Costello sends best wishes to royal couple

AAP General News (Australia)
02-11-2005
Vic: Republican Costello sends best wishes to royal couple

MELBOURNE, Feb 11 AAP - Federal Treasurer Peter Costello today set aside his republican
beliefs to wish Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles a happy marriage.

Mr Costello, the most senior federal politician in support of a republic in the 1999
constitutional referendum, appeared to accept Prince Charles would be the next King of
Australia.

"We all wish them well," Mr Costello told journalists in Melbourne.

"They've obviously been together for a long time and to finally be able to take the
step of marriage is no doubt a great relief for them and I hope it's a happy and long
lasting marriage.

"He is of course the future king of Australia so we take an interest in him and we
wish him all the best."

AAP mp/ce/cdh/sd

KEYWORD: CHARLES COSTELLO

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