Atlanta, GA 11/23/2010 10:32:01 PM
Prince William and Kate Middleton will marry on April 29, 2011, it has been announced.
The couple - who revealed their engagement to the world
last week - will tie the knot at Westminster Abbey in London and the
date will be a public holiday in the UK.
The venue has extra significance for William as it was the venue for his mother Princess Diana's funeral in September 1997.
At a briefing at St James's Palace, the prince's private secretary
Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton said: "The couple have chosen to be married at
Westminster Abbey on the Feast of St. Catherine on Friday 29th April.
"The couple were moved to choose the venue because of its staggering
beauty, its 1,000 years of royal history and its relative intimacy,
despite its size.
"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.
"They're on cloud nine like any other newly engaged couple and they're
now getting stuck into organising their wedding. I've never seen two
happier people which is fabulous."
British Prime Minister David Cameron has confirmed the day will be a
national holiday, saying: "The wedding of Kate and William will be a
happy and momentous occasion. We want to mark the day as one of
national celebration - a public holiday will ensure the most people
possible will have a chance to celebrate on the day."
It has been revealed the cost of the wedding and honeymoon is going to
be shared by the Royal Family and the Middletons, but the costs
incurred for things such as security and policing will be will be
picked up by taxpayers.
Mr. Lowther-Pinkerton added: "The details of who pays for what haven't
been worked through yet but the Middleton family are very, very keen to
contribute.
William - who is second in line to the British throne - and Kate want
the nuptials to be "a classic British occasion" and "a classic example
of what Britain does best".
