Bishop suspended after harsh royal wedding comments

A British bishop has been suspended for "offensive" comments about Prince William's upcoming royal marriage he made online.

Bishop of London Richard Chartres says he has asked Bishop Pete Broadbent to withdraw from public ministry until further notice.

Broadbent has said he apologized to William and his fiancee Kate Middleton after British newspapers picked up comments he made on Twitter and Facebook.

Among other comments, he said he gave the royal marriage about seven years and that he planned to be out of the country on a "republican day trip of France" the day the couple weds.

Chartres said Tuesday he was appalled by Broadbent's comments and that he had expressed his dismay on behalf of the Church of England to royal officials.