Prince William and Kate Middleton are to marry on April 29 next year at Westminster Abbey, the historic London church where the funeral of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, was held in 1997, royal officials announced on Tuesday.
The couple want to turn their wedding day into an international party in what is set to be the biggest royal event in Britain since William’s parents, Prince Charles and Diana, married in 1981, aides said.
William, second in line to the throne of 16 realms, including Canada, Australia and New Zealand, is to tie the knot in the same church where the first king William was crowned in 1066 after the Norman conquest of England.
“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,” said Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, the prince’s private secretary. “We know that the world will be watching on April 29, and the couple are very, very keen indeed that the spectacle should be a classic example of what Britain does best.”
The wedding costs — the church service, music, flowers, decorations, reception and honeymoon — are to be paid by the royal family and the Middletons, with the government meeting the security and transport costs, in a bid to ease public concerns as Britain faces harsh economic austerity measures.
British Prime Minister David Cameron announced that the day, the first Friday after the Easter weekend, would be marked with a special public holiday.
“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,” he said.
The date and venue were announced a week after the 28-year-olds revealed their engagement.
The couple could be taking a risk with the weather. April is renowned as a rainy month in Britain, with bookmakers giving odds of 5/4 there will be showers on the day, as there were for Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in June 1953.
However, the couple wanted the day to be a right royal party, royal household officials said.
“Their view on it would be: ‘Let’s have a party,’” Lowther-Pinkerton said. “Consequently the day will be a proper celebration for the nation and the realms.”
He added that William and Kate were “completely over the moon” about their engagement, adding: “I’ve never seen two happier people.”
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