Prince William will marry Catherine Middleton on Friday, April 29 at Westminster Abbey, the royal family announced on Tuesday.
The prime minister declared that the day of the wedding would be national holiday.
“The wedding of Kate and William will be a happy and momentous occasion,” said Mr. Cameron. “We want to mark the day as one of national celebration, a bank holiday will ensure the most people possible will have a chance to celebrate on the day,” he said, according to a Downing Street statement.
Clarence House said that the wedding was following the precedent set by the Queen’s own wedding, which was paid for by the Royal Household.
The prime minister confirmed that the wedding bill would be paid by the royal family, but that the tax-payer would be covering costs for security and transport.
Spokesperson for the Royal Family Mr. Lowther-Pinkerton said William and Kate were “calling the shots” on the wedding plans.
“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,” Lowther-Pinkerton is widely reported to have said at a news conference announcing the date.
“Prince William and Catherine have made it very clear that they wish everybody to be able to enjoy the day with them.”
“Consequently, the day will be a proper celebration for the nation and the realms. Having said that, the couple are very mindful of the current situation, and for example, Prince William has already expressed a clear wish that any involvement by the armed forces should rely in great part on those servicemen and women already committed to public and ceremonial duties,” said Lowther-Pinkerton.
The Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Dr John Hall, said in a statement on the Abbey’s website, “We are very pleased they have chosen Westminster Abbey for their marriage and look forward to the detailed planning for what will be a great and happy occasion for the couple themselves, for their families and friends, for the country and Commonwealth and for well-wishers across the globe.”
Bank holidays are devolved in Scotland, meaning that the Scottish government will make a decision later as to whether or not to call a bank holiday too, according to Downing Street.
The prime minister declared that the day of the wedding would be national holiday.
“The wedding of Kate and William will be a happy and momentous occasion,” said Mr. Cameron. “We want to mark the day as one of national celebration, a bank holiday will ensure the most people possible will have a chance to celebrate on the day,” he said, according to a Downing Street statement.
Clarence House said that the wedding was following the precedent set by the Queen’s own wedding, which was paid for by the Royal Household.
The prime minister confirmed that the wedding bill would be paid by the royal family, but that the tax-payer would be covering costs for security and transport.
Spokesperson for the Royal Family Mr. Lowther-Pinkerton said William and Kate were “calling the shots” on the wedding plans.
“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,” Lowther-Pinkerton is widely reported to have said at a news conference announcing the date.
“Prince William and Catherine have made it very clear that they wish everybody to be able to enjoy the day with them.”
“Consequently, the day will be a proper celebration for the nation and the realms. Having said that, the couple are very mindful of the current situation, and for example, Prince William has already expressed a clear wish that any involvement by the armed forces should rely in great part on those servicemen and women already committed to public and ceremonial duties,” said Lowther-Pinkerton.
The Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Dr John Hall, said in a statement on the Abbey’s website, “We are very pleased they have chosen Westminster Abbey for their marriage and look forward to the detailed planning for what will be a great and happy occasion for the couple themselves, for their families and friends, for the country and Commonwealth and for well-wishers across the globe.”
Bank holidays are devolved in Scotland, meaning that the Scottish government will make a decision later as to whether or not to call a bank holiday too, according to Downing Street.
