LONDON – Britain’s Prince William and his fiancee, Kate Middleton, said they were on “cloud nine” yesterday after announcing their engagement and have already given royal aides a list of possible wedding dates and venues.
The couple spent part of the day discussing their marriage plans with officials and “all options are on the table”, a St James’s Palace spokesman said. Aides will now consult with the queen, senior royals, Ms Middleton’s parents and others before reporting back to the prince and his fiancee, who will make the final decision.
The full cost of the wedding will not be known until major elements such as a venue are decided, but the spokesman stressed the prince and his bride- to-be were conscious of the country’s economic situation.
The spokesman said: “They are still very much on cloud nine and are still enjoying the happy moment. They are enjoying talking to friends and family and enjoying one another’s company and showing their commitment to each other publicly.”
Staff from the office of the lord chamberlain – the senior official of the royal household – will be involved with planning the wedding.
Possible venues are St Paul’s Cathedral, where William’s parents the Prince of Wales and the late Diana, Princess of Wales, were married; Westminster Abbey, where the queen’s marriage ceremony was held, or even St Clement Danes, the RAF’s main church in central London, as the prince is an RAF search-and-rescue helicopter pilot.
The couple are thought to favour a March date for their big day but some time in the summer may also be picked.
The St James’ Palace spokesman added: “All options are on the table and they’ve given us clear direction in terms of dates and venues. Now our job is to consult with the relevant parties the queen, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, the Middletons and other parties and report back.
“As they said yesterday, they want the day to be as enjoyable as possible and they are mindful of the economic situation.” – (PA)