Queen Elizabeth II has invited Camilla Parker Bowles, the longtime companion of her son Prince Charles, to the major royal event of the year, Buckingham Palace said.

Parker Bowles has received a personal invitation to the Westminster Abbey service on June 2 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the queen's coronation, according to the announcement Monday.

The event will also be attended by Prime Minister Tony Blair, Commonwealth leaders and more than 1,000 members of the public.

Parker Bowles has been increasingly seen at Charles' side at royal gatherings. The couple's relationship has brought criticism since Parker Bowles divorced her husband and Charles, the heir to the throne, split with Princess Diana before her death in 1997.

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Charles and Parker Bowles now often appear in public together, leading many people to assume they will eventually marry.

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