IT was just like the old days for the Venerable George Austin, retired Archdeacon of York.

Always an outspoken upholder of traditional Church teachings, Mr Austin was constantly sought out for his views on issues such as ordaining women priests.

Yesterday the media were at his door again. He was filmed by Calendar and appeared on Look North, wrote an article for the Daily Mail and turned down an offer to write something for the Yorkshire Post.

The reason? A little more than 11 years ago, Mr Austin voiced doubts about Prince Charles's suitability to become king and head of the Anglican Church - because he had committed adultery with Camilla Parker Bowles.

So what's his verdict about the April 8 nuptials?

"I am glad that he's getting married. It's better that the approaching Supreme Governor of the Church of England is married, rather than living with a mistress."

The arrangements mirror closely Mr Austin's own oft-repeated blueprint. He said that they should tie the knot in a civil ceremony at Buckingham Palace; their actual choice of Windsor Castle is "better still".

He argued that Camilla should not become queen, and instead take the title Duchess of Lancaster - the king is always the Duke of Lancaster. So he was perfectly happy to learn she will become the Duchess of Cornwall, then the Princess Consort when Charles succeeds to the throne.

"It's a very satisfactory conclusion from the Church's point of view," said Mr Austin.

YORK'S turbulent priest met Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, on separate occasions. At a garden party shortly before he took up his Archdeacon of York post in 1988, he turned round and came face-to-face with Diana.

They discussed the tedium of long motorway journeys.

"Conversation was much easier than with Prince Charles," said Mr Austin. Mind you, the Prince was perfectly pleasant when he handed out the prizes at a Christian public speaking competition - and certainly warmer than Princess Margaret who performed the same role another year.

"She just went along the line and said, 'hello, how are you' to everyone. He was much more alive."

During the Camilla controversy Mr Austin exchanged letters with one of Prince Charles's private secretaries. "I never knew whether it was actually a correspondence with Charles. It was a very satisfactory discussion."

Nevertheless he is not expecting an invite to the wedding.

THESE days the official Church is under challenge from a new place of worship: the holy temple of Ikea.

So many people turned up to the midnight opening of the Edmonton branch yesterday that some sustained crush injuries. One shopper was stabbed, another suffered heat exhaustion and they had to close after half an hour.

Two thoughts occur. Firstly: why does Ikea make people go bonkers? We don't remember any MFI riots in the 1980s.

Secondly: on infrequent visits to the Leeds superstore, the Diary has also had an urge to bolt for the doors - but to get out.

HEARD on Radio York: a mother being interviewed on the importance of healthy school dinners by the name of... Mrs Sugarbottom.

Updated: 11:24 Friday, February 11, 2005