Prince William to marry Kate Middleton next year
Prince William is to marry Kate Middleton next year, Clarence House has said.
William, second in line to the throne, will marry in London next spring or summer and live in north Wales where he is serving with the RAF.
The couple, who are both 28, became engaged in October during a private holiday in Kenya.
They began dating eight years ago while studying at St Andrews University in Fife, where they shared a house.
The royal engagement was announced in a brief statement released by Clarence House.
It said: “The Prince of Wales is delighted to announce the engagement of Prince William to Miss Catherine Middleton.
“The wedding will take place in the Spring or Summer of 2011, in London. Further details about the wedding day will be announced in due course.
“Prince William has informed The Queen and other close members of his family.
“Prince William has also sought the permission of Miss Middleton’s father.”
‘Delighted’
Prime Minister David Cameron’s spokeswoman said he was “delighted” and sent the couple his very best.
Ed Miliband said he was also delighted for Prince William and Kate Middleton.
“The whole country will be wishing them every happiness.”
The Royal Commentator Dickie Arbiter told the BBC: “She’ll become a service wife.
“He’ll have to do his statutory royal duty, his royal bit, but he will be very much a working helicopter pilot with RAF search and rescue for the next three years, and Kate will have to get used to living in north Wales, although I think she’s pretty much used to it at the moment.”
Prince William and Kate Middleton both started out on the same history of art course at St Andrews in 2001, although William later switched to geography. For several years, they shared accommodation with friends.
Miss Middleton, who is six months older than William, was credited with persuading the prince to stay on as he struggled to adjust to university life during his first year.
They graduated in the same ceremony from St Andrews in 2005 and their families joined them for a celebratory lunch.
The couple’s relationship was exposed in 2005 when they were photographed together on the Swiss ski slopes of Klosters.
Miss Middleton is the eldest child of businessman Michael Middleton and former air hostess Carole.
She was raised in a modern five-bedroom detached house in the Berkshire village of Bucklebury and her family, who are self-made millionaires, run a mail order toy and party goods company.
Source: BBC