LONDON – Britain’s Prince William and Kate Middleton will marry in Westminster Abbey on Friday, April 29th next year, it was announced yesterday.
The couple were said to be “completely over the moon” after getting the spring wedding they wanted in a venue they chose for its “staggering beauty” and 1,000-year royal history.
Downing Street announced that April 29th would be an extra public holiday, meaning that many people would enjoy two four-day weekends in a row.
St James’s Palace said the wedding would be paid for by Queen Elizabeth, the Prince of Wales and the Middleton family, although the taxpayer would pick up the bill for related costs such as policing.
Prince William has strong ties to Westminster Abbey – his grandmother, the queen, was married and crowned in the historic place of worship, and the funeral of his mother, Diana, was held there.
Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, private secretary to the young prince, said: “The venue has long associations with the royal family – it is in many ways the royal family’s church – and of course with Prince William personally.
Mr Lowther-Pinkerton told reporters at St James’s Palace yesterday: “The couple are completely over the moon. I’ve never seen two happier people, which is absolutely fabulous to work in that sort of environment.
“They’re on cloud nine, like any other newly-engaged couple. They’re now getting stuck into organising their wedding. They are very much in charge of the arrangements for the big day.”
He added: “We know that the world will be watching on April 29th, and the couple are very, very keen indeed that the spectacle should be a classic example of what Britain does best.”
The prince and Miss Middleton want to strike a balance between making it an enjoyable day and recognising the precarious state of the UK’s finances.
Mr Lowther-Pinkerton said: “Prince William and Catherine have made it very clear that they wish everybody to be able to enjoy the day with them. Having said that, the couple are very mindful of the current situation, and for example Prince William has already expressed a clear wish that any involvement by the armed forces should rely in great part on those servicemen and women already committed to public and ceremonial duties.”