People talk 12/3

Parker Bowles, Prince Charles raise profile

LONDON -- Camilla Parker Bowles, the longtime companion of Prince Charles, attended church Sunday with the heir to the British throne as they continued to raise their public profile.

The couple were among a group of guests at Queen Elizabeth II's Sandringham estate in eastern England. They walked from Sandringham House to St. Mary Magdalen Church for morning service.

Parker Bowles walked with female guests, and the prince walked with former king Constantine of Greece.

A group of royal watchers outside the church called "lovely to see you" to Parker Bowles. She smiled broadly and replied: "Thank you very much."

Harrison remembered as down to earth

JACKSON, Tenn. -- The son of Rockabilly legend Carl Perkins remembers George Harrison as a man who was down to earth despite his fame.

"He was a very genuine, spiritual man," Stan Perkins told The Jackson Sun.

The former Beatle collaborated several times with Perkins, one of his musical heroes. Their work included a duet called "Distance Makes No Difference" that was recorded for Perkins' last album in 1996.

Harrison attended Perkins' 1998 funeral in Jackson, and performed Perkins' song "Your True Love."

Stan Perkins said Harrison told him that was the first time he had tried to sing since developing throat cancer.

"He said, 'I didn't know if anything would come out,"' Stan Perkins said.

Stan Perkins said his father and Harrison suffered from the same type of throat cancer, and underwent similar treatment.

Tolkien family split over film version of 'Rings'

LONDON -- The family of writer J.R.R. Tolkien is divided over the film version of the Lord of the Rings, a newspaper reported Sunday.

The Independent on Sunday said 77-year-old Christopher Tolkien, one of the late author's children, won't see or talk to his eldest son, Simon Tolkien, because Simon Tolkien supported the filming of the epic fantasy. The film is due to open later this month, and two sequels are expected to follow.

Simon Tolkien, 42, a lawyer, said he has been excluded from the family's business affairs because of his support. Christopher Tolkien has played a major role in overseeing the Tolkien legacy and reportedly disliked earlier attempts at bringing the stories to the screen.

"It was my view that we should take a much more positive line on the film and that was overruled by my father," Simon Tolkien was quoted as saying.

-- From wire reports