William and Kate's spring wedding date

Nov 24 2010 The Journal

PRINCE William and Kate Middleton will marry in Westminster Abbey on Friday, April 29 next year - and millions of workers and schoolchildren will get the day off to celebrate.

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 April 29 would be an extra public holiday, meaning many people would enjoy two four-day weekends in a row.

St James’s Palace said the Royal wedding would be paid for by the Queen, 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 in central London – his grandmother, the Queen, was married and crowned in the historic place of worship, and the funeral of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, 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.

“For Miss Middleton, the associations she has with the Abbey are quite simply the same as any British person would have for such a glorious and holy place.”

The couple, both 28, announced their engagement last week, nine years after they met as students at St Andrew’s University.

Mr Lowther-Pinkerton said: “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. 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.”